Municipal councillors in Sofia want "St. Alexander Nevsky" square to be renamed "St. Ivan Rilski"

Municipal councilors from "Blue Sofia" submitted a report in which they insist that the "St. Alexander Nevsky" square in Sofia should be renamed "St. Ivan Rilski".

"The square is the most representative public space of the capital of Bulgaria, which unites Orthodox churches, state and cultural institutions and emblematic monuments," the report says. It is also pointed out that St. Ivan Rilski is the most revered saint in these lands and heavenly patron of the Bulgarian people.

The petitioners state that for nearly two centuries after the ascension of St. Ivan Rilski, his relics used to be kept in Sofia. According to them, St. Alexander Nevsky's activities were not related to Bulgaria.