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Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors Holy Martyrs Sophia, Vyara, Nadezhda and Lyubov

Photo: pravoslavieto.com

On September 17, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Holy Martyrs Sophia, Vyara, Nadezhda and Lyubov ( Wisdom, Faith, Hope and Love). The legend has it that Sophia and her three daughters were subjected to terrible torture by Emperor Hadrian in Rome for professing Christianity. Hadrian urged them to offer a sacrifice to the goddess Artemis, but the young girls remained unyielding and died a martyr's death with their mother. 

September 17 is also the day of Bulgaria’s capital Sofia. September 17 was declared a holiday of Sofia by a decision of the Sofia Municipal Council of March 25, 1992. On this day a festive liturgy is served near the St. Sofia Church.

  • Bulgarian capital Sofia celebrates its day with a festive programme




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