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100 years since the consecration of Saint Alexander Nevsky Patriarchal Cathedral

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Photo: архив

Exactly 100 years ago, on the 12th of September 1924, St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was consecrated. The temple was built with public donations "in gratitude to the Russian people for the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman yoke in 1878", on the idea of the Bulgarian politician and public figure Petko Karavelov, recalls BTA. 



The consecration also marks the 200th anniversary of the transfer of the relics of St. Alexander Nevsky from the city of Vladimir to the newly founded St. Petersburg on August 30, 1724. (By order of Peter the Great the relics were removed from Vladimir on 11 August 1723 and taken to Shlisselburg, from where they were brought to St Petersburg in 1724 and installed in the Annunciation Church of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra on 30 August). 



The majestic temple in the heart of Sofia has three thrones, so the consecration took place on three consecutive days - 12, 13 and 14 September 1924. On 12 September 1924 Metropolitan Maxim of Plovdiv consecrated the throne of the main altar, on 13 September 1924 Archbishop Anastasios of Chisinau and Khotyn consecrated the northern altar dedicated to Sts. Cyril and Methodius, and on 14 September 1924 Metropolitan Stefan of Sofia consecrated the southern altar in the name of St. King Boris. 

The solemn church ceremony was attended by honorary delegates from many European countries.



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