The Holy Spirit Monastery in Sofia is the only Carmelite monastery in Bulgaria. The monastery church impresses with its richly decorated dome and an iconostasis adorned with icons of Christ, the Virgin Mary, saints, and scenes from the life of Jesus.
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Following the political changes of 1989 and decades spent in hiding at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Sofia, the Carmelite nuns were finally able, in 2002, to move into a monastery of their own. At its heart stands the Eastern-rite Church of the Holy Spirit—a sign of resilience, faith, and hope for Christian unity. Stoyan Karageorgiev was part of the team that designed and crafted the iconostasis, the dome, and the icons.
- The churchThe construction of the Carmelite monastery in Sofia began in 1996, and the Church of the Holy Spirit was completed in 2013.
Iconostasis
In the sanctuary of the church stands an iconostasis, fashioned as a delicate wood-carved lattice of vine branches and leaves—evoking Christ as the true vine and source of life. At its center are four principal icons: Christ, the Virgin Mary, Archangel Michael, and Saint Stephen.
- IconsIn the upper section of the iconostasis, arranged in a circular composition, are twelve scenes from the life of Christ—from the Nativity to the Ascension. Above them stand the twelve Apostles, forming a kind of “heavenly crown” over the scenes of Jesus’ earthly life and symbolizing the continuation of His mission through the Church.
The Last Supper
At the very top, in the central section of the iconostasis, is the icon of the Last Supper. The image recalls the institution of the Eucharist—the sacrament that to this day remains at the heart of Christian life.
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