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Church. St. Dimitar
"Ekzarh Iosif I" str., Vidin
RELIGIONS Orthodox
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELIGIOUS SITE
DESCRIPTION The cathedral „Saint Dimitar” is a cathedral church of Vidin eparchy. The church is the second biggest church in Bulgaria after the cathedral-monument „Saint Alexander Nevski” in Sofia.
The church was declared a monument of culture with national significance in State gazette 84 /31.10.75. The temple is situated in the central part of the town in the park, close the hotel "Zora". This functioning Christian church is in a very good condition and provides free access.
HISTORICAL RELEVANCE After 1718 Vidin became a border city of the Ottoman Empire. The border law started being effective for it. This effectively means that the Bulgarian population was not allowed to live in the city walls – the fortress (Kale). Because the gates of the fortress were closed from 6:00 in the evening to 7:00 in the morning and the churches "St. Petka" and "St. Panteleimon" could not be used during major Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter, they had to begin the construction of a new church outside the stronghold at the end of the seventeenth century.
INTER-RELIGIOUS RELEVANCE The church was given the name of Martyr Dimitar from Thessaloniki. Soon it became a center of the cultural life in Bulgaria and became a Metropolitan Church. On December 6th, 1868 the temple was at first officially used by Bulgarian bishop in Bulgarian language. Since then, this church became the chair of Vidin Metropolitan Antim I, who after four years became the first Bulgarian Exarch.
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE On October 26th, 1890 the day of the patron saint's day was laid St. Antimis and was celebrated the first Mass. Due to a worn-out of the wooden structure the temple had to be demolished and rebuilt. Funds for the building were collected from the capital of guilds and by voluntary contributions of citizens. The plan was developed by architect Bahnani. On March 10, 1885 officially was laid the foundation stone of the new church. The building is fully prepared and painted in 1926, when the solemn consecration and opening of the temple took place.
HOW TO USE WITH THE STUDENTS The students need to visit the cathedral church, because it is the second biggest church in Bulgaria.
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