Sofia Marks 148th Liberation Anniversary with Reenactment and Prayer Service

Kaloyan Kirilov

Statue of St. Sofia in downtown Sofia, December 28, 2023 (BTA Photo/Vladimir Shokov)

Sofia,

04.01.2026 20:57

(BTA)

Sofia marked the 148th anniversary of its liberation on Sunday with civic tributes, a historical reenactment and church celebrations.

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev wrote that the capital is a symbol of freedom, dignity and resilience, saying the city has endured wars, divisions and crises while retaining the spirit of people who do not give up. He added that preserving freedom depends not only on words, but on the daily decisions made for the city and its residents.

A reenactment of the battles leading to Sofia’s liberation was held at North Park in Nadezhda Borough, drawing more than 100 participants and co-organized with the National Alliance Edinenie association. The commemoration recalled the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878) and the entry of units from the Western detachment of the Russian army, led by Lieutenant General Iosif Gurko, into a strategically important Sofia on the route from Central Europe to Istanbul. The historical narrative referenced fighting that began near Gorny Bogrov on December 31, the confrontation between Gurko’s troops and an Ottoman force commanded by Osman Nuri Pasha, and developments around Dolni Bogrov and Botunets, including actions involving Major General Otto Rauch and Lieutenant General Nikolay Velyaminov.

Bulgarian Patriarch and Sofia Metropolitan Daniil led a divine liturgy at St Nedelya Cathedral, followed by a thanksgiving prayer service. In his address, he spoke about the preservation of Orthodox faith and spiritual identity during Ottoman rule and expressed gratitude to the forces that took part in the war of liberation. He also offered a prayer for an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine and for reconciliation. After the service, Patriarch Daniil joined a procession and laid flowers at the Bulgarian Volunteer memorial, the Tsar Liberator monument and the monument to Lieutenant General Iosif Gurko.

/КТ/