Bulgaria's Capital Celebrates St. Sofia Day

Bulgaria's capital celebrates Friday St. Sofia Day - the date when the Orthodox world pays homage to the Holy Martyrs Sofia and her three daughters Faith, Hope and Love. The September 17, 2010 events dedicated to the Day of Sofia will be opened with a parade starting at 11 am from the "Zaimov" park in downtown Sofia.

The flag of the capital will be hoisted at an official ceremony and a liturgy will be held in front of St. Sofia church. Beginning at 7 pm, at the National "Ivan Vazov" Theater, the City Hall will bestow the awards for achievements in arts and culture, and the ceremony will be aired on the Bulgarian National Television. In 1992 Sofia municipal council selected this date for Sofia's Day at the proposal of the then mayor.

Between 1979 and 1992 Sofia's Day was marked on April 3, the day when Sofia was pronounced Bulgaria's capital back in 1879.