russian church, Sofia

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The Church of St Nicholas the Miracle-Worker is more commonly known as the Russian Church. It was built for the cities Russian community and consecrated in 1914. With its shiny gilt domes and green tiles, it really is a beautiful building. The decorated porch gives the place a fairytale type feel.

The interior is covered in frescoes and underneath is a crypt. Here you'll find the tomb of Archbishop Serafim, leader of the Russian Church in Bulgaria from 1921 - 1950. His tomb is considered capable of working miracles, hence the regular number of worshippers that visit it.

The Russian church was constructed in pre communist times to serve the Russian citizens where were resident in Sophia.

Its a beautiful church, very russian in style of course.

No photo's unfortunatly :(

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The Russian Church of St. Nicolas (Ruska tsurkva) was consecrated in 1914 just before World War I. It was built to serve as the official church for the Russian community of Sofia. The church even remained open during the Communist times in Bulgaria.

The crypt, which can be accessed to the left of the main entrance, is home to the remains of Saint Archbishop Seraphim, who died in 1950. Locals who visit the crypt leave hand-written notes with wishes in a box here.

Directions:
The Russian Church of St. Nicolas can be found at the crossing of the streets bul. Tsar Osvoboditel and bul. Georgi S. Rakovski, right in the busy city centre of Sofia.

Address:
Russian Church of St. Nicolas, bul. Tsar Osvoboditel 3, Sofia

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This church was built at the end of 19th century. The church was built on a plot of the Russian Embassy for the needs of the Russian emigrants in the capital. The five small domes are made of gold (the central one is 19m high), and the bells were donated by the Russian King Nikolay II.
Concerning the architecture of the Russian Church, the temple was built in the tradition of Russian church architecture of 19th century-by reserved old Russian elements-the so-called "bulbs" (dome) in combination with traditional old Russian mosaics and woodcarvings, and it has the features of the modern architecture and painting.
Here you can see a picture of the church

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This extraordinary white and green building was designed by Russian architect Preobrajenski and built by Russian workers , some of the same that worked on the Cathedral, from 1912 until 1914.

The Church was named after St. Nikolay, 'the Blessed and the Miracle-maker.'

The exterior with its gilded onion domes and emerald green spire's much prettier than the interior, which is rather modest and dim. But its frescoes are worth seeing.

Opening hours: 7.30-18h

Walking down 'Tsar Osvoboditel' street you will see the beautiful gold domes of the so-called 'the prettiest church in Sofia'. Its high dome, surrounded by four smaller domes, all made of gold harmonize perfectly with the roof of the church which is covered with green majolica tiles. Something I like very much about this beautiful church is the contrast of the spirit of the church inside and the dynamic of the world outside. It is so amazing to see the way this quiet place collides with the lively and busy 'Tzar Osvoboditel' street, full of people and so full of life. One step inside and you are peaceful and free of everything material. One step outside and you will feel how life fills your veins. And if you want more about the different churches and religions in Bulgaria take a look at the travelougue.
Did you know that?
Numerous people come form all over the country with little sheets of paper on which they have written their whishes they want to come true. The church keeps the relics of a Christian saint and there is a special room next to the church where people put their written wishes and they pray that the saint will help them. You may found this useless, but believe me bulgarian history is a real example of how Faith helped Bulgarians go through lots of hard times. And sometimes the only thing a person needs to be strong is just a little courage and a little faith.

The Russian Church was built in 1912 and is dedicated to St. Nicholas, the miracle maker. It preserves the style of Moscow decorative arts, painting and architecture.

The roof is covered with green majolica tiles and crowned with five gold-plated onion domes. The exterior recently was renovated by the Moscow Patriarchate, which provided the gold.

The frescoes were painted in the style of the Novgorod icon school.

More popular than the church itself is the crypt, accessed to the left of the main entrance. Here lies the tomb of the former Bishop Serafin, who died in 1950. Locals come here is droves to post hand-written messages into a box, standing to the right of the tomb. Although Serafin was never canonised, he is revered as a saint and believed to make prayers and wishes come true.

Open:
Daily 07.30 - 18.00 h

Services:
Saturday 09.00 and 17.00 h, Sunday 09.00 h.

Price:
Free of charge.

Duration:
Depends on you.

The Russian church in Sofia was built in 1912 by Russian workmen and represents the style of Moscow decorative arts, painting and architecture. There is a high dome that is surrounded by four smaller domes. The roof of the church and above the door is covered with green majolica tiles.