After 30 years of efforts to raise the money and for the construction work, Armenians in Sofia will now be able to celebrate Christmas in their new church in the capital city of Bulgaria. As a matter of fact, it is the only Armenian church in Sofia. The temple, which opened doors in June, 2022, is called Holy Mother of God, and the first Christmas Eve church service is to take place there tonight.

Christmas Eve is one of the biggest religious holidays celebrated in Armenia and by Armenians around the world on 5 January, Christmas is on 6 January. The Armenian church marks Christmas and Epiphany on the same day. As is the tradition of the Armenian Apostolic Church, on the eve of Christmas, the priest sanctifies pomegranates which are then handed out to the congregation.

Compiled by Gergana Mancheva