December 31, 1964 — Sophronius of Vratsa Is Canonized as a Saint
On this day in 1964, Bishop Sophronius of Vratsa was canonized as a saint. Sophronius was one of the leading figures of the early Bulgarian National Revival: a cleric, teacher, writer, and public voice during a period when Bulgarian cultural and religious identity was being renewed under Ottoman rule. He is closely associated with Nedelnik, one of the first printed books in modern Bulgarian, which helped bring religious and moral texts closer to ordinary readers. His canonization recognized not only his spiritual life, but also his lasting role in Bulgarian literacy, education, and national consciousness. The date honors a bridge between church tradition and modern Bulgarian culture.
December 31, 2006 — Kozloduy Units 3 and 4 Are Taken Off Stream
On this day in 2006, Units 3 and 4 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant were taken off stream, fulfilling Bulgaria’s obligations under its European Union Accession Treaty. The shutdown happened on the eve of Bulgaria’s EU membership, which began on January 1, 2007. For supporters of the closure, it was part of meeting European safety and accession commitments. For critics, it was a painful loss of productive energy capacity and a controversial price of integration. The decision remains one of the most debated energy-policy moments of the accession period. It links Bulgaria’s nuclear industry, European diplomacy, and the difficult compromises made on the road to EU membership.
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Continue with December 29 or December 31. For more stories and places, explore Bulgaria From Above and the guides in our Bulgaria category on Bronicable.
Continue with December 30. For more stories and places, explore Bulgaria From Above and the guides in our Bulgaria category on Bronicable.
