Saint Nicholay

The church ‘Saint Nicholay’ (also known as Nikolaos of Myra or Nikolaos the Wonderworker) in Plovdiv is a one-naved, one-domed basilica built in Russian style. A bell tower has been constructed next to the church. Two special clocks will be produced and installed by the American company Verdin in the bell tower. Verdin is a leader in the production of such items since 1842. The church itself consists of a special steel construction, which creates a much lighter and flexible structure that withstands better earthquakes. The height from the ground to the tip of the cross on top of the main dome is 22m, while the height of the bell tower together with the cross is 24m. Both crosses are 2 meters high and have been produced and gold-plated in the workshops of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, in Kiev, Ukraine. According to Mr Kiril Vassilev, who is the main donator (or ktitor) to the church construction, “the cross on the main dome will be able to withstand storms and lightning, due to a special lightning rod, which is going to attract lightning and thus safeguard from damage not only the church, but the other buildings close by”. Four smaller crosses will be erected on top of the smaller domes. 

Mr Kiril Vassilev, main donator to the church Saint Nicholay:

‘The Russian tradition has been followed in the choice of white, blue and golden colours in the exterior. The iconostasis (the icon stand) will be painted in white, but the design of bell and the icon painting have not been considered yet’