From March 11 to 13th, Sofia hosts the international conference “The Saint Sophia Basilica of the transition from pagan rites to Christianity. The participants are scholars from the Balkans, Austria, US and Ukraine including archeologists, historians, theologians, architects, museum workers, restorers. The organizer is the Historical museum of Sofia. Today’s church Saint Sophia is one of the symbols of the capital and is also included in its coat of arms. In fact, its name meaning the god’s wisdom gave the name of the Bulgarian capital. It is believed that the present-day church was the fourth built on this spot. The reasons for the conference are two, says doctor Nadejda Kirova, museum director: 1,700 years since the construction of the first temple as well as the opening for visitors of the church crypt last year:
During the Ottoman rule the temple was turned into a mosque. After the two big earthquakes in 1818 and 1858, Muslims leave it because they believe Allah withdrew his blessing. The Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878 found the church in a state of ruin, and there were even plans to destroy it. But it turned out to be too expensive and thanks to this it has now been preserved and later restored. In 1998, it again opened its doors for the faithful. It is now a functioning temple, it is venerated and loved by Sofians.
Archeological digs underground persisted for years, the conservation and restoration – as well. Among burials only one was with preserved murals. Drawings there testify that the early period of the temple – the transition from paganism and Christianity. The three-day scientific conference is part of the events supporting Sofia’s bid and that of Bulgaria’s Southwestern region for European capital of culture in 2019.
English version: Rossitsa Petcova
Photos: Veneta Pavlova
Every year on February 10, the feast of St. Haralambos , Bishop of Magnesia, is celebrated with special solemnity in a small Bulgarian town in the northernmost part of the country's Black Sea coast . For Shabla and its residents, this is the..
Almost 40 years ago, Bulgarian Orthodox Church communities were established in Western and Central Europe in several cities - Budapest, Munich, Vienna, Stockholm, Malmö, Oslo and Paris. With Bulgaria's accession to the European Union and the expansion..
On February 4, Blagoevgrad will commemorate the 153rd anniversary of the birth of Bulgarian revolutionary Gotse Delchev with a wreath-laying ceremony. The ceremony will take place at 11am in front of the hero's monument on Macedonia Square. Voivode..
Every year on February 10, the feast of St. Haralambos , Bishop of Magnesia, is celebrated with special solemnity in a small Bulgarian town in the..
+359 2 9336 661