The foundation stone of the embassy temple was laid on September 2/15, 1907 by Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich (son of Emperor Alexander II), who arrived in Sofia specifically for this purpose with his wife Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna and his son Grand Duke Andrew Vladimirovich. The ceremony was also attended by Bulgarian officials – members of the Synod of the Bulgarian Church and the heir to the throne, Prince Boris. On September 11/24, 1914, the temple was consecrated.
In 1921-1950, the Archbishop of Boguchar Seraphim (Sobolev) managed the church as head. Bishop Seraphim managed to make the church „St. Nicholas” a center of life for the Russian people living in Sofia. Bishop Seraphim led and directed the wide charitable activity of his parishioners. A brotherhood used to actively work at the temple to help people in need. The bishop’s contribution to the restoration of the canonical relationship between the two Churches was highly valued by Tsar Boris, who awarded him two high Bulgarian state awards. Archbishop Seraphim also had a great merit for the fact that on February 28 / March 13, 1945 the issue of the abolition of the schism was successfully resolved and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church entered into equal canonical communion with all Local Orthodox Churches.
In April 1945, Archbishop Seraphim addressed Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and whole of Russia, declaring his readiness to accept the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate. Bishop Seraphim accepted Soviet citizenship and was issued a №1 certificate as a Soviet citizen living in Bulgaria. After the death of Bishop Seraphim on February 26, 1950, the management of the Russian church communities in Bulgaria was entrusted to Archimandrite Panteleimon (Staritsky), then to Archpriest Sergii of Kazan.
On November 10, 1952, by decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, the church “St. Nicholas the Miracle Maker” in Sofia acquired the status – Courtyard to the Moscow Patriarchate.
In February 2016, Archbishop Seraphim (Sobolev) was canonized together by the Russian and Bulgarian Orthodox Churches. This unique fact testifies to the inseparable historical ties between the two Churches, the Bulgarian and the Russian people.
