The short history
The “St. Athanasius” Church is the old metropolitan church in Varna. It was built in its current form in 1838 on the site of the ancient church that burned down two years earlier in 1836. Only for two years the orthodox people in Varna, in a period of poverty and orthodox deprivation were able to collect the money needed for restoration of the church. The construction of the new church was necessary to restore the spiritual center of the city after the devastating fire that destroyed the previous building. Today, the parish life in the temple is exceptionally vibrant and vivid, supportive and well known for it's hospitality.
The church is built in an architectural style , which combines elements of neoclassicism and traditional Bulgarian architecture. The interior of the church is rich of beautiful icons and frescoes that makes visitor to feel like he's in some of the galeries of Hermitage.
Over the years, the “St. Athanasius” Church has played an important role in the religious life but also in the social and cultural life of Varna. Many mportant events have taken place here, including baptisms, weddings, and funerals, which are connected to the local community.
Today, the church continues to be a vivid center of the Orthodox faith and attracts many visitors who come to worship and enjoy its historical and architectural value, as well as it's beautiful garden with rare flora species and colorful bulgarian garden flowers.
On the balcony of the “St. Athanasius” church is the remarkable museum of Renaissance iconography, which attracts exceptional interest from many Bulgarians and foreigners. The exhibition consists of 52 selected icons from the 18th-19th centuries: several icons of Lord Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary with the infant, the Holy Trinity, St. John the Baptist, as well as some of the most honoured saints such as: St. George, St. Demetrius, St. Nicholas, St. Cyril and Methodius, St. Mina , St. Athanasius, St. Prophet Elijah, and St. Haralampius are represented with more than one icon.T he exhibition also highlights several unique and rarely seen icons such as: Christ the Unseen, two icons of the Virgin Mary the Milk-Giver, and the Creation of the World with five scenes.
In addition to the icons, visitors of the museum can also see a specially selected and arranged collection of beautiful church utensils from the 18th-19th centuries. For even more detailed information, please, visit the official site of the church St. Athanasius.
What makes the church adorable place to visit is also its close proximity to the Ancient Roman Therme of Varna https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Thermae_(Varna)