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This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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Sveti Prorok Iliya Temple

Sveti Prorok Iliya Temple

bul. "Tsar Boris III" 357, 1619 Knyazhevo, Sofia

RELIGIONS Orthodox

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELIGIOUS SITE

DESCRIPTION
The temple Sveti Prorok Iliya is an Eastern Ortodox church that has the Holy Prophet Elijah as its with patron saint. The simple building is a unique architectural composition and no other church in Bulgaria looks quite like this. It is notable that a few meters away from the themple, there is a mausoleum of the Muslim saint Bali Efendi. It is actually older than the church and has been preserved during its construction, creating a dual cult space.
HISTORICAL RELEVANCE
Sveti Prorok Iliya is a Fin de siècle church, built on the site of a ruined mosque. There is no indication of what this mosque was, except it was part of a large dervish complex (tekke) built around the tomb of the prominent 16th-century Muslim cleric Bali Efendi. He is remembered as exceptionally tolerant of the Christians population whom he patronized because of his great authority. Remarkably, against the backdrop of this tolerance for Christianity (which is characteristic of Ibn al-Arabi's followers like Bali), the Sheikh was very irreconcilable with the Muslim sectarian groups of his time. The construction of the Christian temple was completed on Ilinden (Saint Elijah's day) - July 20, 1893. The church was consecrated by the Sofia Metropolitan Parthennius.
INTER-RELIGIOUS RELEVANCE
In the courtyard of the temple, just a few meters from the building of the church, the tomb of Bali Effendi still stands today. The cult of Bali is largely maintained by the Roma community. Their eclectic religious practice incorporates Islamic, Christian and pagan elements. Prophet Elijah is venerated in the Muslim world, and often identified with Imam Ali. He is given the epithet "the righteous" in the Quran.
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE
The patron saint Holy Prophet Elijah is celebrated on July 20 (Ilinden) with a festive liturgy and a traditional prayer for the safety and well-being of firefighters. Qurban sacrifices for health and protection are offered by believers. It is customary for the local Muslim congregation to gather in the yard of the church on the same day, light candles and pay homage to the saint at the Christian temple, and then visit Bali Efendi türbe to honor his leagacy.
HOW TO USE WITH THE STUDENTS
- Direct visit
- Virtual visit (specify how): See the photo galleries.
- Classroom activity: Examine the shared values and syncretic spiritual practices of diverse religious communities as a basis for tolerance and interfaith dialogue.
CONNECTION WITH OTHER RELIGIOUS SITES

Bali Efendi türbe - ul. "Preslav" 1, 1619 Knyazhevo, Sofia

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This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.