Sanctuary
The St. Sofia Church is one of the oldest Orthodox churches in Sofia. The name of the capital city of Bulgaria mostly derives from this church (The previous name originated from the Greek word Serdika). It is the largest Byzantine church outside the borders of Constantinople; built in the 6th century A.D. during the reign of Justinian. The materials used to build the church are dated back to the 5th and 6th centuries A.D. Under Ottoman rule, the church was rebuilt into a mosque, but in the 1800s the church ceased to be used due to structural damage caused by multiple earthquakes. From the year 1900 a new construction project began, resulting in the Basilica returning to its original state as an Orthodox church. After multiple restoration projects, the St. Sofia Basilica opened its doors once again during the year 2000. Today, the likeness of the church is made to very closely resemble that of its original appearance during the Middle Ages. St Sofia represents the divine wisdom not through its saintly icons in the church, but through its namesake, who stands on the top of the church above three other women, depicting: faith, hope, and love. She is an important figure in the lives of the residents of Sofia.
Bulgaria
Macedonia
Romania
Sofia