The Republic of Bulgaria in the modern world is a secular state. The human right to freedom in the choice of religion is enshrined in the constitution of the country. Traditionally, most residents (about 75 percent) consider themselves followers of Orthodoxy. Protestantism, Catholicism, Judaism and Islam are also widespread in Bulgaria.
From the history
About the Christian religion in Bulgaria learned in the I century BC. e. A disciple of Paul, one of the apostles, arrived in Varna. His name was Amplius, and he founded the country's first episcopal department. Since then, Christian churches began to appear, artists began to paint icons. In the IV century, a meeting of bishops took place in the capital of Sofia in order to strengthen harmony between the churches of the West and the East. The spread of Christianity throughout the state began only in the 9th century. Tsar Boris I made the decision that the country should be baptized, and this happened.
Now in the capital you can see in close proximity to each other churches of different religions and faiths. Until our time, not many religious buildings of the Middle Ages have survived. Among them there is the church of St. Paraskeva-Petka Tarnovsky, dating from the 13th century. And the famous monument - the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky - was built only in 1908.
Islam
During the Turkish conquests, local residents were forced to accept Islam, which became another religion in Bulgaria. Many Muslims moved to the territory of the country from other states. Gradually, the number of adherents of this religion increased. Gypsies, Greeks, and some Bulgarians adopted Islam in order to save families from having to pay tax to the Turks.
In the XVIII-XIX centuries, the number of Muslims among the inhabitants of the country began to decline. Many left the country. There were only a few settlements professing Islam in the south-eastern part of the country. Basically, these are gypsies, Turks, Pomaks (the so-called Islamized Bulgarians), there are some other nationalities: Arabs, Bosnians. There are several mosques throughout the country. The main one is in the capital, in the same place as the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky. The Banya Bashi Mosque was built in the 16th century; it is one of the oldest in all of Europe. The unique historical monument is made of brick and stone, has in its design many turrets, columns, arches, an elegant minaret. The mosque was built by Sinan, a famous engineer from the Ottoman Empire.
Judaism
Jews have long met in the Republic of Bulgaria. The Jewish people lived in Thrace during the time of the Roman Empire. This is evidenced by the ruins of synagogues found by archaeologists in some provincial cities and towns. Especially the mass migration of Jews to the Bulgarian kingdom began in the 7th century. The people who suffered persecution in Byzantium were looking for more peaceful places to live. The Sultan of the Ottoman Empire promised certain rights to the Jews, hoping that they would help enrich the state. At that time, three large Jewish communities arose: Ashkenazy, Sephardim and Romanites. Over time, the rights of Jews became equal to the rights of ordinary citizens of Bulgaria. They served in the army, took part in wars.
After World War II, Jews began to move to Israel en masse. More than 40 thousand people left. Today, the number of adherents of Judaism is only one hundredth of a percent. At the same time, synagogues have been preserved in many cities of Bulgaria, only two are active. The majestic Sofia Synagogue was opened in 1909.
This unusual architectural structure was built in the style of the Moorish revival. Rich interiors are decorated with the heaviest chandelier weighing 1.7 tons. The building is located in the central part of the city. The second synagogue in Bulgaria can be seen in the city of Plovdiv.
Christianity in Bulgaria
The Christian religion in the country is represented by three directions. In addition to Orthodox people, there are also adherents of Protestantism (just over one percent) and Catholicism (0.8 percent). The church does not depend on the power of the state and other church organizations. The spread of the Catholic faith began in the fourteenth century.
In contrast to the current situation, under the communist regime, believers experienced severe censure and attacks by the authorities. It was forbidden to publish and have religious literature at home. This situation lasted until the 70s.
Gradually, the
attitude towards religion in Bulgaria became tolerant. Towards the end of the last century, a huge number of sectarian movements and communities appeared. Now, despite the fact that most of the population considers themselves to be Christians, people have become less religious, less likely to attend church, practically do not observe religious customs, fasts. The head of the Bulgarian
Orthodox Church is the Patriarch, and the Synod of Metropolitans is involved in some important decisions.
Protestantism
In the second half of the XIX century. in the Bulgarian town of Bansko, a community of Protestants first appeared. It is believed that this was the result of the activities of missionaries who arrived from America. In the northern part of the country, a Methodist denomination is spreading, the construction of the first churches is underway. Followers of congregationalism began to appear in the south. And at the end of the century, Baptist and Adventist communities are organized. After several decades, the composition of the groups of Protestants was replenished by Pentecostals who arrived from Russia.
Now different faiths interact with each other. The number of Pentecostals continues to grow; many Gypsies accept this belief. Some communities are seriously engaged in educational activities, organize their own institutions, courses. All these numerous organizations of different faiths are not only concentrated in the capital, but are also present in Plevna, Stavertsy and some other cities.
Armenian apostolism
The Apostolic Church of Armenians is also an offshoot of Christianity and one of the religions of Bulgaria. The Armenian community moved to this country during the 1915 genocide. The number of people has grown in the last 20-30 years, and now the community has more than 10 thousand people (and according to some reports, more than 50 thousand). Armenians live in Sofia, Burgas, Plovdiv and other settlements.
During the period of communism, like other religious associations, the community experienced serious difficulties. The revival occurred after 1989. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the establishment of relations between Armenia and Bulgaria, new members of the diaspora began to arrive in the country again. Armenians care about the preservation of traditions and cultural heritage, try to ennoble temples. Among them - the church of St. George in Plovdiv, the church in Burgas, built in memory of the events of the genocide.