Sophia's Day
Sofia is also well known as a woman's first name. The name means wisdom. Sofia Day is celebrated on September 17th in the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, in honor of the patron saints – Saint Sofia and Faith, Hope, and Love. The day, symbolizing wisdom and virtues, consists of church services, official ceremonies, various cultural events, and concerts throughout the city.
Sophia's Day celebrations on September 17
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is an Orthodox cathedral in Sofia. Built in the Neo-Byzantine style, the building serves as the cathedral church of the Bulgarian Patriarch and is one of the largest Christian churches in the world in terms of volume. It is one of Sofia's symbols and one of its most important tourist attractions.
Military parade in honor of the holiday
A unit of the Bulgarian National Guard added military flair to the celebration. The unit is purely ceremonial. During the Sofia Day festivities, the National Guard appeared near the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
My trip to the Balkans
Beautiful Sofia
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria. It is also the largest city in Bulgaria. The city’s population is about 1.2 million.
I traveled in the Balkans in the fall of 2025.