On October 25, 2025, a formal commemoration marked the centenary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church building at 10 Solunska Street in Sofia. This significant structure, the first dedicated Adventist church edifice in Bulgaria, has served as a pivotal religious and administrative center for the denomination. Its function: the headquarters of the Bulgarian Union for over eighty years since its establishment in 1925. More than 1,000 people attended the jubilee celebration—held in Hall 3 of the National Palace of Culture—organized by the two constituent church communities in collaboration with the Bulgarian Union. The current ministry is led by Pastors Tsanko Mitev and Vladimir Stanev.
Commemorative Program and Spiritual Significance
The day’s extensive program seamlessly integrated historical reflection, spiritual messages, and cultural performances. The morning session included official welcome addresses and the Sabbath School program, culminating in the premiere of the documentary film "Faith in the Heart of the City", followed by an anniversary speech from Pastor Tsanko Mitev. The afternoon and evening featured the continuation of the film with extended interviews, titled "Before, Now and Beyond", concluding with an anniversary concert by the Sofia Choir and a closing address by Pastor Nikola Levterov.
Official greetings underscored the building's spiritual importance. Pastor Milen Georgiev, president of the Bulgarian Union, described the site as "a building full of God's miracles," equating its enduring presence as a spiritual monument—a place for worship, baptisms, and encouragement—to the biblical stones signifying divine intervention. Pastor Trifon Trifonov, head of the Western District, emphasized the church’s profound missionary role—citing social projects like the "Hot Soup Project," digital evangelism, and the work of the Gates to Knowledge Foundation, holding it up as "a standard for faith and ervice". Furthermore, Pastor Blagovest Nikolov, president of the United Evangelical Churches in Bulgaria, offered felicitations, expressing the hope that the celebration would initiate "a new beginning for the spread of the light of God's word." The generations of believers who have preserved this spiritual home also received formal recognition through a congratulatory address from the Denominations Directorate at the Council of Ministers, delivered by Mrs. Iliyana Gancheva.
Historical Narrative and Ministerial Impact
The 100-minute documentary, "Faith in the Heart of the City," provided a living history of the church, recounted through the personal testimonies of 37 individuals connected to the community throughout the years. Following the screening, Pastor Tsanko Mitev highlighted the "many miracles" that marked the building’s history—from the rapid eight-month construction period to its survival through wartime bombings and the communist era. He distilled the building's enduring lesson by stating, "The greatest miracle is faith – it heals, elevates, gathers and leads us to God’s promises."
The church’s multifaceted outreach was showcased in an exhibition in the National Palace of Culture lobby. This space detailed the work of various departments, including Communications, Women’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Health Ministry, the "New Life" publishing house, and the "Hot Soup" project, allowing guests to view materials, stories, and plans for future development.
The program's latter segment, "Before, Now and Beyond," provided deeply personal and previously unseen testimonies. The evening culminated with the anniversary concert performed by the Sofia Choir, conducted by Ivaylo Ivanov, where the music was celebrated as the church's "breath, prayer, and gratitude." Pastor Nikola Levterov brought the celebration to a close with an inspiring appeal, urging attendees to view the jubilee as a "rehearsal for that jubilee in eternity," reinforcing divine assurance for the future: "God has brought us through these 100 years - and He is the guarantor for the next ones."
