Russian Church, Sofia

The Russian Church (

.

History and architecture

The church was built on the site of the Saray Mosque, which was destroyed in 1882, after the

. The five domes are coated with gold. The bells were donated by Emperor Nicholas II.

Construction began in 1907 and the church was consecrated in 1914. The church remained open after the

and during the Communist period in Bulgaria (1944–1989), though priests and church-goers were carefully watched by the State Security police.

The exterior was recently restored by the

. The interior murals are darkened by smoke from candles and from time, and are in need of restoration.

The crypt housing the remains of Saint Archbishop Seraphim is located beneath the Russian Church's main floor. Dozens of people still visit the grave of the archbishop, who died in 1950, praying and leaving notes asking for wishes to be granted.

See also

• List of churches in Sofia

References

• Official Guide to the Russian Church by N. Neshkov and N. Lobanova (in Russian and Bulgarian)
• Historical Plaque in front of the Russian Church, placed by the Ministry of Culture of Bulgaria

External links

• Official site
• Historical photographs of the church

42°41′45″N 23°19′45″E / 42.6957°N 23.3291°E / 42.6957; 23.3291