St. Sarkis Armenian Orthodox Church, Varna

Saint Sarkis is a refined expression of Armenian ecclesiastical architecture, having a cross-shaped floor plan and multi-wall, pyramid-like dome, features typical of Armenian and Georgian churches. The church stands today as a testament to the artistic skills of founder Hayrabedyan Sarkis and crafted by the talented journeyman-artist known as Apra.

It wasn’t the first structure on its site-the previous church was completely destroyed by fire in 1843. Yet within a year, reconstruction was completed, culminating in a consecrated place of worship by January 1844. Since then, the church has gone through multiple renovations, with the most recent significant restoration taking place in 2002, coinciding with a visit from the Catholicos of All Armenians. Today, it's officially recognized as a declared architectural heritage site-a cherished cultural landmark in Varna.

The interior is finished in a Byzantine manner, with icon-painted walls. Unusually, the sanctuary is open-there’s no iconostasis-flanked by two small chapels: one for children’s baptisms and the other serving as a vestry for clerical vestments. A barrel-roofed wooden ceiling and a modest collection of naïve-style icons round out the space.