Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Christians in Bulgaria pay honor to Holy Martyrs Sophia, Vyara, Nadezhda and Lyubov

Photo: BNR-library

On September 17, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors the Holy Martyr Sophia and her daughters Vyara, Nadezhda and Lyubov (Faith, Hope and Love).

The legend has it that in the 1st century, Sophia and her daughters were subjected to terrible torture by Emperor Hadrian in Rome for professing Christianity and died a martyr's death.

"Their death becomes the center of eternal life and this refers to the other meaning of the holiday - which is wisdom. It is believed that the wisdom of God is one of the names of the Son of God - Christ himself", priest Sava Kukudev of the church "St. Sophia" said.

The name of the Bulgarian capital Sofia, which marks its holiday today, is directly related to the history of the church of the same name.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Saint Elijah’s Day: one of Bulgaria's most revered summer festivals

On 20 July (according to the Gregorian calendar), the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honours the Old Testament prophet Elijah, known in Bulgaria as Sveti Iliya. Celebrated as Ilinden, this day is one of the most venerated summer festivals in Bulgaria and is..

published on 7/20/25 8:15 AM

Underwater archaeologists reveal the secrets of Taukliman Bay on Bulgaria's northern Black Sea coast

Underwater archaeological research has been completed in Taukliman Bay (also known as Bird Bay) , located about 6 km northeast of Cape Kaliakra.  Dozens of archaeological sites of great historical value have been located in its vicinity: caves used in..

published on 7/14/25 9:46 AM
Father Matey Preobrazhenski-Mitkaloto  (1828–1875)

What we don’t know about Matey Preobrazhenski’s inventions

Though known mostly as one of the closest associates of Vasil Levski   and a dedicated fighter for national liberation, there was actually much more to Father Matey Preobrazhenski (1828–1875) than his revolutionary efforts. Little is known about..

published on 7/12/25 11:20 AM