September 17 is the Day of Bulgaria's capital Sofia

On September 17, the Orthodox Church honours the memory of the Holy Martyrs Sophia, Faith, Hope and Love.

It is also the Day of the capital of Bulgaria – Sofia.

Sophia means wisdom. Wisdom that does not speak because it knows, sees and helps. It draws its strength from faith, hope and love. And gives them to the world. Wisdom has its many incarnations in ancient and modern philosophies and religions.

Born in Italy, Sophia had three daughters: Faith, Hope and Love, who were named after the virtues.

Acccording to the legend, in the second half of the first century in Rome lived a pious woman, a Christian, her name was Sophia. She had three daughters who had the names of Christian virtues - Faith, Hope and Love. She raised them in love for the Lord Jesus Christ

Sophia and her daughters did not hide their faith and openly professed it. Antiochus' viceroy brought this to Emperor Hadrian (117-138), who ordered that they be brought to the emperor immediately.

When they stood before him, all present were astonished at their calm: as if they had been called to a bright celebration, not to torture. Hadrian tried to persuade them to sacrifice to the goddess Artemis, but the young girls (Faith was 12 years old, Hope - 10 years old and Love - 9 years old) remained adamant, then the emperor ordered them to be severely tortured.

The mother was forced to watch the inhuman torture and suffering of her children. But she showed extraordinary strength all the time. They could not stand the torture, the girls died, and the emperor allowed Sophia to take the bodies of her daughters and bury them.

Three days after the children's deaths, their mother died and was buried with them. The Church also honours St. Sophia as a martyr, because as a mother she experienced with her heart the terrible sufferings for Christ of her beloved daughters.

The relics of the holy martyrs Sophia, Faith, Hope and Love have been buried since 777 in Alsace, France.

As part of the tradition, a big outdoor concert dedicated to the city's holiday will take place.

A festive concert for Sofia Day will start at 18.00 on the stage of Sofia Summer Fest, with the participation of Vladimir Ampov - Grafa, Poli Genova, Mihaela Fileva, Krissia, Cool Den group, Youth Philharmonic "Sofia" at the National Music School "Lyubomir Pipkov" with conductor Slavil Dimitrov.

The Sofia City Art Gallery and its branches - the Vaska Emanuilova Gallery and the Dechko Uzunov Museum Gallery - will be open on 17 September 2024 for Sofia Day with free-of-charge access for visitors;

Regional History Museum - Sofia (permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions), sq. "Banski" №1 - 10.00 - 21.00 (last entry time 20.00);

Triangular Tower of Serdika, ul. "16 Knyaginya Maria-Luisa - 10.00 - 21.00 (last entry 8.00 pm);

ACCC Serdika - 10.00 - 21.00 (last entry time 20.00);

Archaeological Park "Western Gate of Serdika" - 10.00 - 20.00;

Archaeological level of St. Sophia Basilica - 10.00 - 17.30 (last entry time 17.00);

Tomb of Prince Alexander I Battenberg - 9.00 - 17.00 (last entry time 16.30), “Vrana” Park;

"Sofia Zoo".

The International Triennial of the Stage Poster and the exhibition series "Walk of Fame" starts on the Day of Sofia at Slaveykov Square.

A festive dance performance will take place in Zaimov Park from 17.30.

From 19.00 on the stage on 39 "Alabin" street - Festival New Kids from the Block presents a concert and fire show.

At the same hour, the municipal cultural institute House of Culture "Krasno Selo" presents a concert by Galina Apostolova (piano) and Raisa Zapryanova (viola), part of the cycle "Musical Tuesdays", free-of charge entrance.

At 8.30 p.m. in the Archaeological Park "Western Gate of Serdika" will be held a visual dance performance "Limits of Reality" by "Derida Dance Center".

A number of events will take place outdoors, there will be exhibitions, music and dance events, street theatre, book festivals, literary and historical itineraries, sports events, children's programmes. The municipal cultural institutes, as well as the Metropolitan Library, also have events dedicated to the holiday.