Sofia Mayor Strips Chief Architect of Powers Amid Growing Tensions
Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev has officially revoked the delegated powers of the city’s Chief Architect, Bogdana Panayotova
Politics | November 7, 2025, Friday // 16:00
Bulgarian Archaeologists Claim Oldest Monastery in Europe
- Tweet
Send to Kindle
The ancient shrine at the St. Athanasius monastery in Bulgaria's Stara Zagora region. Photo by BGNES
Bulgarian archaeologists have uncovered what they believe is the oldest Christian monastery in Europea near the village of Zlatna Livada in southern Bulgaria.
According to latest archaeological research, the St. Athanasius monastery, still functioning near the village, has been founded in 344 by St. Athanasius himself, reports the BGNES agency.
Until now, the Candida Casa monastery, founded in 371 AD in Galloway, Scotland, was believed to be the oldest Christian monastery in Europe, followed by the St. Martin monastery in the Pyr?n?es-Orientales, France (373 AD).
Archaeologists have examined objects in a hermit's cave and shrine located near the present St. Athanasius monastery in Bulgaria, and found evidence that the great saint might have resided there.
Additional studies in archives at the Vatican have confirmed that St. Athanasius was present at the Church Council in Serdica (modern Sofia) in 343 AD.
He then travelled on to Constantinople and is believed to have stopped in the area of present Zlatna Livada, which is located in Thrace on the ancient way between Serdica and Constantinople.
The small village of Zlatna Livada (pop. 123) is located near the Bulgarian town of Chirpan, Stara Zagora region.
St. Athanasius of Alexandria (296/8-373) was for a long time Bishop of Alexandria, and is revered as one of the greatest Christian saints.
He did extensive work in theology and was one of the key figures in establishing the dogmata of Christian faith that are still accepted by Eastern Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Christians alike.
Related Articles:
Police Uncover Sophisticated Scheme to Drain Fuel from Lukoil Pipeline in Southern Bulgaria
Police in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, have uncovered an organized criminal group responsible for siphoning large amounts of fuel from a Lukoil pipeline located south of the city.
Sofia's Mayor Accuses Waste Firm of 'Blackmail' After Sudden Withdrawal from Recycling in 18 Districts
The company responsible for separate waste collection in Sofia, Ecobulpak AD, has informed the Sofia Municipality that it intends to stop collecting recyclable materials from colored containers in 18 districts of the city
Politics | November 6, 2025, Thursday // 15:28
EU Unveils Plan for Sofia-Athens High-Speed Rail Link by 2040
The European Commission has unveiled a comprehensive plan to expand high-speed rail connections across the European Union by 2040, with one of the key routes linking Sofia and Athens
'He Tried to Kill Someone': Sofia Neighborhood in Shock After Knife Attack (VIDEO)
A man armed with a knife caused panic in a restaurant in Sofia’s Sveta Troitsa neighborhood after attacking and threatening customers on Monday
Crime | November 4, 2025, Tuesday // 10:02
Residential Construction Booms in Plovdiv, While Sofia Trails Behind
In the third quarter of 2025, Bulgarian municipalities issued permits for a total of 2,292 residential buildings
Kaliakra 2025 Expedition Reveals Ancient Coins, Statuettes, and Religious Relics
The “Kaliakra 2025” archaeological expedition, which is drawing to a close, has unearthed more than 400 significant historical artifacts
Dinosaur Rib and Rare Fossils Unearthed Near Tran in Bulgaria
Paleontologists have uncovered new dinosaur fossils near the Bulgarian town of Tran during the Eighth Paleontological Expedition organized by the National Museum of Natural History
Bulgarian Archaeologists Unearth Medieval ‘City of the Hobbits’ at Perperikon
Archaeologists at Perperikon have unearthed new discoveries, shedding further light on the site's medieval past
Restored Statue from Heraclea Sintica Unveiled in Sofia after Months-Long Conservation
For the first time, the second marble statue uncovered at Heraclea Sintica, in Bulgaria, has been displayed fully restored - standing tall, with its head in place
New Archaeological Find Sheds Light on Bulgaria’s Roman-Era Stronghold
An archaeological find of notable importance has emerged from the Kokalyanski Urvich Fortress near Sofia.
Thracian Clues Emerge Near Heraclea Sintica as Bulgaria Restores Rare Ancient Statue
Archaeologists working at the site of Heraclea Sintica in Bulgaria have uncovered new evidence pointing to a much older Thracian presence in the region
