Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Construction of the first Bulgarian church in London under way

Photo: bulgarianembassy-london.org

The construction of the first Bulgarian Orthodox church in London named after Saint Ivan Rilski  is progressing. To date, only the Bulgarian Orthodox community does not have its own church in the United Kingdom.

The church is being built in the heart of London, within the property of the Bulgarian embassy, about 100 meters from the Royal Albert Hall and a few hundred meters from Kensington Palace. 

In a record short period of 4 months, the project was defended before the municipality in Westminster with the efforts of Bulgarian Ambassador Marin Raykov who gave the idea for the church and received a construction permit. 

At the end of 2023, the Bulgarian government allocated money for the construction of the church. Funds were also collected from Bulgarians in Great Britain. 

The project is by the Italian architect Carlo Bughi. 

"In order for the project to be approved, it had to not disturb the architectural appearance of the building. In reality, the facade will not be radically changed. We will build a medium-sized church with a dome and we will make it so that the Bulgarian community and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church actually have a definitely representative and beautiful temple," said Ambassador Raykov.

The new church will have a capacity for between 130 and 150 people and will be completed in a year and a half.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

“Space weekend” for the lovers of astronomy in Cherni Osam

Leading researchers and lecturers from the St. Kliment Ohridski University in Sofia and the Institute of Astronomy and National Astronomical Observatory of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences will be paying a visit to the Museum of Natural History in..

published on 11/2/24 7:45 AM

Celebrating the walnut - the village of Oryahovitsa organizes a festival dedicated to its symbol

The village of Oryahovitsa, Stara Zagora region, today celebrates its symbol - the walnut tree.   There will be a Festival of the Walnut with a varied programme featuring the Kazanlahsko Nastroenie (Kazanlak Cheer) Orchestra, the soloist of..

published on 11/2/24 7:30 AM
Boris Ruge

Balkan Developments

Disputes in Croatia over sending military personnel to NATO mission in support of Ukraine NATO Acting Deputy Secretary General Boris Ruge visited Croatia to explain to local MPs about the Alliance's mission in support..

published on 11/1/24 2:22 PM