Celebrating Faith and Unity in Sofia: 10th Anniversary of Saint Seraphim’s Canonization, a Shared Commemoration of Russian-Bulgarian Orthodox Tradition

Kathmandu – Special religious rites were held on February 3 at the “St. Nicholas the Miracle-Worker” church, located within the courtyard of the Russian Orthodox Church in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. This grand Liturgy, organized on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the canonization of the miracle-working Saint Seraphim (Bogucharsky), revered by both Russian and Bulgarian Orthodox Churches, beautifully intertwined reverence, faith, and historical memory.

The festive patriarchal Liturgy was presided over by Metropolitan Daniil of Sofia and Patriarch of Bulgaria. The event was also attended by the Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria, E.V. Mitrofanova, and the former Prime Minister of Bulgaria and head of the Bulgarian royal family, Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. The participation of high-level religious and political figures added deeper significance to the ceremony.

Saint Seraphim is deeply venerated in both Russia and Bulgaria. He was born on December 1, 1881 (Old Style) in the Ryazan region of Russia. His secular name was Nikolai Borisovich Sobolev. In 1908, taking monastic vows at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, he adopted the name “Seraphim” in honor of the venerable Seraphim of Sarov.

In 1921, he was appointed rector of the St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Church in Sofia. Thereafter, until 1950, he led the Russian Orthodox community in Bulgaria in the capacity of Bishop Bogucharsky. He authored numerous theological works and sermons. Notably, while writing an Akathist dedicated to the great Bulgarian Saint John of Rila, he described him as “the glory and beauty of the Bulgarian Church.”

Saint Seraphim concluded his earthly journey on February 26, 1950, and was interred in the crypt of the very same St. Nicholas Church in Sofia. By the unanimous decision of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, he was formally canonized in February 2016.

Even today, the tomb of Saint Seraphim (Sobolev) draws a constant stream of devout pilgrims. For believers seeking faith, solace, and spiritual guidance, he remains a living source of inspiration.

This ceremony not only commemorated a saint but also re-illuminated the historical ties, shared faith, and cultural closeness between the Russian and Bulgarian Orthodox traditions.