Church of St. Petka the Old – Sofia

The Church of St. Petka the Old is one of the oldest functioning Orthodox churches in Sofia and an important spiritual and historical landmark in the heart of the city. Evidence suggests that the site may have been used for Christian worship since the earliest centuries of Christianity. Archaeological findings near the nearby Rotunda of St. George (4th century) indicate that a larger early Christian complex once existed in this area.

Some researchers associate the church with the palace complex from the time of the medieval ruler Sebastokrator Kaloyan. However, it is more widely believed that the church was part of the city’s metropolitan (bishopric) center. This is supported by written records from the 16th century by the traveler Stefan Gerlach.

Dedication

The church is dedicated to Saint Paraskeva (Petka), a highly venerated Christian saint in Bulgaria. An inscription at the entrance indicates that the church dates back to at least 1241. The term “the Old” likely distinguishes it from the later-built Church of St. Petka the Samardzhiyska, located nearby.

Middle Ages

In the 13th century, after Tsar Ivan Asen II transferred the relics of Saint Petka to Tarnovo, devotion to the saint spread throughout Bulgaria.

Following the fall of Sofia under Ottoman rule in 1382, the church continued to serve as a spiritual center for the local Christian population. During this period, it was described as a small, single-nave church with rich wall paintings. Some of these frescoes have been preserved and can still be seen today. The church also houses an ancient sacred relic associated with the martyr Saint Therapon, believed by tradition to have healing powers.

Today, the Church of St. Petka the Old remains an active place of worship and an important cultural monument, reflecting layers of history from antiquity, through the Middle Ages, to the Ottoman era.