site.btaSarcophagus to Hold Tsar Samuel’s Remains Arrives in Sofia

The sarcophagus in which the remains of Tsar Samuel will be laid to rest has arrived in Sofia. It will be placed in the southern part of the transept of Sofia's Church of St Sophia. 

The sarcophagus measures approximately 2.30 metres in length, 90–100 cm in width and 85–90 cm in height and is designed to accommodate a wooden coffin, its maker Nadezhda Klyuchkova told BTA Thursday. 

Work on the sarcophagus began on September 25 at the initiative of the Ministry of Culture, with the blessing of Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil, while the Sofia Metropolitanate decided on its design. The project includes a Christogram, Archangel Michael, Samuel’s Fortress with lions, and depictions of two peacocks and a palace. The sarcophagus will be assembled on site at Church of St. Sophia, where it will be placed in the southern part of the transept. 

Tsar Samuel’s remains will be received on October 3 at Sofia's Battenberg Square, from where a procession will proceed to the church. Their return to Bulgaria is the result of an agreement between Bulgaria and Greece following negotiations between the two countries.