Bulgaria Inside

Armenian church Surp Hach, or Holy Cross, is situated in the central part of the coastal city of Bourgas. Surrounded by green trees, it is located on 13 Lermontov street.

The church appears tiny, yet it carries memories from the past and gives visitors a sense of peacefulness and tranquility.

Surp Hach is one of the oldest Orthodox sanctuaries in the city.

A date has been carved on a rock inside the church. The carving says ‘1853.’ According to historians, a chapel existed before the church was constructed. Some documents point out that the church was constructed in 1808.

The sanctuary was situated in the exact same place and was made of wood and stone. It carried the name St. Virgin Mary. The current name was given in 1853.

Surp Hach features typical Armenian architecture. Visitors today cannot get a sense of the old construction, since the church was remodeled several times. In time, it got a bell tower and the façades were covered with stone. Colored glass covers the windows.

Historic events are connected to Surp Hach. A funeral mass for Russian and Bulgarian soldiers killed in liberation struggles was held there.

The Armenian church in Bourgas is a spiritual center for Armenians in the city and the region.

In 1970, Surp Hach was named a monument of culture and was included in tourist guidebooks.