The religious composition of Bulgaria. Which religion in Bulgaria is Christianity or Islam? Rituals and holy places in Bulgaria

Bulgaria- secular state. Like all constitutional republics, it provides freedom of religion, which is enshrined in the country's Constitution. Religious institutions and institutions are separated from the state here. Different religions and confessions are represented in the country. About 80% of the country's population consider themselves believers, although only 13.6% of them regularly attend services.

The largest denomination is Christians - 85% of the total population. The main religion of the country according to tradition since the 9th century. officially considered Eastern Orthodox Christianity. It is professed by 82.6% of the inhabitants of Bulgaria. 0.6% of the population (44,000 people) profess Catholicism and 1.12% - Protestantism (Greek - Catholics and Protestants). There are adherents of the Armenian-Gregorian Orthodox Church, followers of various Christian sects: Pentecostals, Methodists, Baptists, Adventists, etc.

Islam is the second religion in terms of influence and number of adherents in Bulgaria. Almost 13% of the believing inhabitants of the country (about 1 million people) are Muslims.

A small number of representatives of Judaism also live in Bulgaria.

There are also Russian, Romanian and Evangelical churches in the country.

On the territory of modern Bulgaria there are many historical pagan cult objects: ancient Thracian sanctuaries and tombs - dolmens dating back to the 2nd-1st millennium BC. They are located near the villages of Sveshtari and Mezek, as well as the cities of Strelcha and Kazanlak.

Orthodoxy

Christianity came to Bulgaria in the 1st century AD. e. According to legend, Amplius, a disciple of the Apostle Paul, founded the first episcopal see in the city of Odes (now Varna). According to Eusebius of Caesarea, in the 2nd century episcopal departments already existed in the Bulgarian cities of Debelt and Anchial. Bishop of Sardika (now Sofia) Protogon was a member of the First ecumenical council in 325.

In the middle of the 9th century, in 865, the Tsar of Bulgaria, Saint Prince Boris I, was the first to accept Christianity. He was baptized by a Greek missionary. This event was followed by a mass baptism of the Bulgarian people. Clever and cautious Boris understood that Christianity would help him unite the people of Bulgaria, strengthen the Bulgarian state, his power and influence. In addition, by the end of the first millennium, the political, economic and social conditions for the rapid spread of Christianity were in place. The people accept Orthodoxy, it becomes a part of their culture and life. In the next decade, the Bulgarian Christian Church becomes autocephalous (independent) under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Since then, Orthodoxy has lost its independence several times. Since 1953, it has again become autocephalous, i.e. she manages her inner life herself, and occupies the 6th place in the diptych (the list of churches mentioned during solemn liturgies). The head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is the Patriarch of Bulgaria, who, together with the Synod of Metropolitans, represents and exercises supreme religious authority. Services in churches in Bulgaria are conducted in Bulgarian. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is divided into dioceses, and those, in turn, into enoria, which are headed by priests (usually married).

Orthodoxy played an important role in the formation of the Bulgarian nation. During the reign of foreigners, it helped to preserve the native language and, in many ways, culture. The first Christian churches begin to be built at the end of the 1st millennium.

Catholicism

Catholicism is the third largest religion in Bulgaria after Orthodoxy and Islam. Belongs to Greek Catholic Church. The first representatives of Catholicism appeared in the country in the XIV century during the rule of the Turks. These were merchants and miners from the countries Western Europe professing Roman Catholicism. In the XVI - XVII centuries. the Paulicians converted to Catholicism, the descendants of one of the largest and most influential heretical movements of the Middle Ages, which originated in Armenia in the 7th century. Due to religious persecution by the Turks in the XVIII century. the Paulicians were forced to flee from the territory of the former Byzantine Empire across the Danube and settled in the Banat region. They began to be called Banat Bulgarians. And today, 10-15 thousand descendants of the Paulicians (Banat Bulgarians) live on the border with Serbia and Romania, who now profess Roman Catholicism. Some of them converted to Islam (Pomaks) and live in Greece, Turkey and Macedonia (former Yugoslavia). At the beginning of the 20th century, during the Armenian genocide in Turkey, Armenians, representatives of the Armenian Orthodox Church, fled to Bulgaria. The country has catholic churches and cathedrals: in Sofia, Plovdiv and other cities.

Islam

It is the second most followed religion in Bulgaria. Islam came after the conquest of the country by the Turks in the fourteenth century and was planted, almost by force, mostly among the townspeople. The Muslims of Bulgaria differ ethnically. The largest group is represented by Muslims of Turkish origin - ethnic Turks, of which there are more than 713,000 people in the country. They live compactly in the north-east of the country and on the border with Turkey: in Shumen, Razgrad, Kardzhali, Haskovo. Islam is also practiced by about 130,000 ethnic Bulgarians - Pomaks, in the XV - XVII centuries. forcibly converted to Islam. They live mainly in the Rhodopes. The third largest are the gypsies (103,000 people), living throughout the country in small groups. Islam in Bulgaria is also practiced by Tatars, Arabs, Circassians (20,000 people), who came to Bulgaria in the 19th century, Albanians and Bosnians.

Muslims in Bulgaria are mostly Sunnis (0.03%). There are about 80,000 Shiites in the country.

There are many mosques in the country. In Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, one of the oldest in Europe is located. Buyuk and Banya Bashi mosques are of interest. The largest Muslim complex, including a mosque, a madrasah, a cemetery, a library and a pavilion with mineral springs, "Tombul Jamia" is located in the city of Shumen. It was built in 1774. There are mosques in Plovdiv (Imaret and Dzhumaya), in Razgrad (mosques of Ahmed Bey and Ibrahim Pasha), in Samokov (Bayrakli). Interestingly, some of the cult objects - Demir Baba and the ruins of the village of Obrochishte (near Varna), are revered by both Muslims and Christians at the same time.

Judaism

Jews have lived in Bulgaria for 2000 years. In the Middle Ages, Jews from Central Europe settled on its lands. Entire communities of Jews expelled from Spain by the Catholic kings also found refuge here. At the beginning of World War II, there were about 60,000 representatives of Judaism in the country. They were able to avoid the fate that befell the Jews in other countries occupied by the Nazis. 90% of Bulgarian Jews emigrated to Israel when the state was established. Today the Jewish community in Bulgaria is not numerous. There are synagogues in many cities: Sofia, Plovdiv, Samokov, Ruse, Vidin, etc.

Religious communities in Bulgaria exist officially and live together.

Today, religions in Bulgaria are approximately represented as follows: the Bulgarian Orthodox Church - 85%, Islam - 13%, Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism.

The territory of today's Bulgaria is geographically located on the border between the former western and eastern parts of the Roman Empire in the 4th and 5th centuries. This predetermined the religious orientation of the country.

In 342 in Serdika (now Sofia) was held religious cathedral bishops to strengthen harmony between the Western and Eastern churches.

Few lands in the world have been subjected to so many invasions and migrations from antiquity to the Middle Ages. In this whirlpool, Christian communities survived only in some isolated places.

Among the new conquerors in the 6th century, the predominant part was Slavic; in the next century, the pro-Bulgarians, led by Khan Asparuh, crossed the Danube and created the state - Bulgaria. The Slavs united in the fight against the Byzantines. Under these circumstances, there could be no question of baptism: the west was in complete decline, the Latin missionaries were fully occupied with introducing Christianity to the Germanic peoples, and the missionaries who arrived from Byzantium were received with hostility because of the constant wars between the empire and the Bulgarians.

This situation completely changed in the middle of the ninth century. It was then that social, economic and political factors combined to facilitate the spread of Christianity. The cautious and prudent leader of the Bulgarians - Tsar Boris I realized that there should not be a single pagan left, that baptism (acceptance Christian religion) will strengthen his authority, that he will be considered not an ordinary leader, but "God's chosen one" and this will give him the opportunity to be the first among the military aristocracy. In 1865, the king was baptized by a Greek missionary, and his example is followed by the broad masses despite the discontent of the aristocracy.

The Eastern Orthodox religion is perceived by the people, penetrates into their life and culture. Its first socio-political result is expressed in the process of merging the pro-Bulgarians and the Slavs.

The predominant religion in Bulgaria is Orthodox. Preserving its inherent orthodox structure, the Bulgarian Church, which has adopted the same dogmas and disciplines as the rest of the Orthodox Churches, is an autocephalous church, i.e. governs his inner life in a completely independent way.

The Bulgarian Church is headed by a Patriarch. The Patriarch, together with the Synod of Metropolitans, exercises supreme religious authority. Metropolitans, in accordance with religious canons, are irremovable; once elected, believers cannot be transferred from one diocese to another. An exception is possible only with promotion to the rank of patriarch.

Each diocese of the Bulgarian Church is divided into a certain number of enoria. Each enoria is headed by a leader who, according to Orthodox rules in most cases, a married priest. Matters of material security are decided by the secular (lay) council. The clergy of Bulgaria also enjoys the established social security system.

In addition to the mentioned Eastern Orthodox Bulgarian Church, which unites a part of Christianity in Bulgaria, other Christian denominations make up a small part: Catholics, Protestants. There is a certain number of followers of various sects: Methodists, Baptists, Congregationalists, Adventists and others.

At the start of World War II, there were approximately 60,000 Jews in Bulgaria. Thanks to the intervention of the authorities and the entire people of Bulgaria, they avoided their fatal end, which befell many of their religious brethren in other countries occupied by the Nazis. After the establishment of the State of Israel, 90% of Bulgarian Jews emigrated. The Jewish community in Bulgaria has synagogues in Sofia, Plovdiv, Ruse, but there are few parishioners.

Islam in Bulgaria is a natural consequence of the Ottoman yoke. Muslims in Bulgaria represent the most numerous stratum after the Orthodox. By ethnicity, they are divided into three groups: - Turks living in compact masses in the regions of Shumen, Razgrad, Kardzhali, Haskovo; - Gypsies scattered in small groups throughout the country; middle of the XVII century, most often found in the Rhodopes.

All these religious communities Bulgaria exist legally and live in peace and harmony.

Dynovism

One of the most widespread non-traditional religions in Bulgaria is Dynovism. Its founder Peter Dynov I (1864-1944) was born into a family Orthodox priest, received a theological education, but departed from Orthodoxy, having created by 1918 a new religious and mystical doctrine of the rebirth of the soul and the animation of objects, uniting theosophy, the works of Blavatsky and the Roerichs, as well as Dynov's own revelations, who called himself "Beins Duno's teacher."

Members of the Dynovists' Society live in many Bulgarian towns. Every year from March 22 to September 22 they perform the so-called ritual of paneurhythmy (universal cosmic rhythm) - they meet the sunrise with songs, music and gymnastic exercises in certain places- on Mount Vitosha or in the region of the Rila Lakes in the Rila Mountains.

Most ethnic Bulgarians belong to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, although there are also small numbers of Muslims (Pomaks), Protestants and Catholics. Most Turks and many Gypsies are Muslims, while some of them (especially Gypsies) are Christians.

In Bulgaria, both Orthodox Christians and Muslims have pagan beliefs and rituals. Among the Pomaks and Roma, Christian and Islamic beliefs and practices often coexist. Other religions include Judaism, Armenian Orthodox Christianity, and various Protestant churches and sects.

Orthodox Christianity is enshrined in the constitution as traditional religion Bulgaria, and the church has connections with national groups. State regulation religious issues decreased after the fall of socialism in the country.

However, political interference remains a factor in religious affairs. The splits in the Orthodox and Muslim communities in the 1990s (a challenge to the legitimacy of the leadership that was established in the state after socialism) pursued political interests. The proselytism of foreign churches and sects is considered a great threat to national identity.

Most Orthodox Bulgarians, as well as Muslims, are not religious, that is, they do not perform rites and rituals. Many are atheists, partly the result of the socialist government's policy of discrediting religion in every possible way.

Despite some revival of interest in religious rites after the fall of the socialist regime, religious practices have become in many ways a kind of marker of cultural identity.

Religious practices

The Orthodox Church is headed by a patriarch who presides over the Holy Synod (or Church Council). There is also a hierarchy of regional archbishops, bishops and priests. There are also monasteries where monks and nuns practice a life of religious devotion and learning.

The Muslim community is governed by the Supreme Council of Muslims under the leadership of the chief mufti (religious judge). There is a hierarchy of regional muftis, imams (clergy), as well as religious teachers.

Rituals and holy places in Bulgaria

For Christians and Muslims, the most significant rituals associated with the passage of life: birth, marriage and death are baptism (for Christians) and circumcision (for Muslims). Christian holidays include Christmas, Easter, fasts and saints' days.

Worship services are held on Sundays and are often daily. People often visit churches to pray to the saints, to light candles for the health or the repose of loved ones.

Muslim holidays are Ramadan (monthly fast) and the feast of sacrifice (Kurban Bayram). Especially believers and religious Muslims visit the mosque on Fridays, and also perform daily prayers.

Churches and especially monasteries are considered sacred not only for the Orthodox Church, but for the whole people, because they played a significant role in the national liberation struggle.

Death and life after death

Orthodox Christians and Muslims believe in afterlife. For both denominations, the proper observance of all the necessary rituals associated with death and burial is crucial for the correct passage of the soul to the afterlife.

Good afternoon friends!

Today I will tell you about which religion in Bulgaria ranks first in terms of the number of followers. And also, let's talk about how and when other confessions got into the country.

I want to please you right away - all religions coexist peacefully here. Everyone is welcome here, regardless of religion.

From this article you will learn:

World religions peacefully coexist side by side

Today, Christianity is predominant in Bulgaria - about 80% of citizens. Most of them are Orthodox, the second place is Protestants (1.12%), and Catholicism is only 0.8%. Also, let's not forget about Armenian apostolicism (0.03%). The remaining 20% ​​of the inhabitants of Bulgaria profess Islam (10%), Judaism (0.012%), and other world religions.

I have a whole section about Bulgaria and moving to this country. Read if you are interested.

Orthodoxy

And yet, Christianity has been the main religion for many centuries. Christianity arrived here in the 1st century AD. e. According to the legend, Amplius, a disciple of the Apostle Paul, became the founder of the religious movement. He founded the first episcopal see in Varna.

Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky, Sofia

Islam

Islam came to the territory of the state along with the Turkish conquerors. The inhabitants were forced to convert to Islam almost by force. Since the Middle Ages (XIV century), the majority of Bulgarian Islamists are ethnic Turks. But, Islam is also practiced by ethnic Bulgarians - Pomaks.

Pomaks, 1932

Catholicism

The third largest number is occupied by Catholicism, belonging to the Roman Catholic branch. Although, the Greek Catholic movement was the first to get here. Catholicism appears by the XIV century. Merchants, miners, travelers from Europe brought their faith, which took root over time. To admire Cathedral St. Ludwig - visit the city of Plovdiv.

Judaism

Jews have lived in this area for a very long time, about 2000 years. They came here during the persecution by the Catholic kings of Spain. All major cities have synagogues. The community is not numerous, but Judaism belongs to one of the main religions of the country.

State and Church

A constitutional republic allows freedom of choice of faith for its citizens. This right for them is enshrined in the Constitution of Bulgaria. There are very rare cases of disputes, conflicts on the basis of faith. Although, only 14% of all residents of the country consider themselves true believers here.

About the development of Bulgaria and, read in my next articles.

Thank you for your attention, friends. I hope this article was useful and interesting for you.

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I was with you, Natalya Glukhova, I wish you a good day!

AT modern world is secular state. The human right to freedom of choice of religion is enshrined in the country's constitution. Traditionally, the majority of residents (about 75 percent) consider themselves adherents of Orthodoxy. Protestantism, Catholicism, Judaism and Islam are also widespread in Bulgaria.

From the history

The Christian religion on the territory of Bulgaria was learned in the 1st century AD. e. A disciple of Paul, one of the apostles, arrived in Varna. His name was Amplius, and he founded the first episcopal see in the country. Since then, Christian churches began to appear, artists began to paint icons. In the 4th century, a meeting of bishops was held 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 decided that the country should be baptized, and this happened.

Now in the capital you can see temples in close proximity to each other different religions and confessions. Not many religious buildings of the Middle Ages have survived to our times. Among them is the temple of St. Paraskeva-Petka of Tarnovskaya, dating back to the 13th century. And the famous monument - the Nevsky Cathedral - was built only in 1908.

Islam

During the Turkish conquests, local residents were forced to convert to Islam, which became another religion in Bulgaria. Many Muslims moved to the country from other states. Gradually, the number of adherents of this religion increased. Gypsies, Greeks, some Bulgarians adopted Islam in order to save families from having to pay taxes to the Turks.

AT XVIII-XIX centuries the number of Muslims among the inhabitants of the country began to decline. Many have left the country. Only isolated settlements of Muslims remained in the southeastern part of the country. Mostly they 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 located 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 a lot of turrets, columns, arches, an elegant minaret in its design. The mosque was built by Sinan, a famous engineer from the Ottoman era.

Judaism

Jews have long met on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. The Jewish people lived in Thrace even during the existence of the Roman Empire. This is evidenced by the ruins of synagogues found by archaeologists in some provincial cities and towns. Especially mass resettlement of Jews began in the 7th century. The people, who suffered persecution in Byzantium, were looking for more peaceful places to live. Certain rights were promised to the Jews by the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, hoping that they would help enrich the state. At that time, three large Jewish communities arose: Ashkenazi, Sephardi and Romanites. Over time, the rights of the 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 in Bulgaria, only two are active. The majestic Sophia 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 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. Start of distribution catholic faith belongs to the 14th century.

In contrast to the current situation, under the communist regime, believers experienced severe censure and attacks from the authorities. It was forbidden to publish and have religious literature at home. This state of affairs lasted until the 1970s.

Gradually in Bulgaria it became tolerable. By the end of the last century, a huge number of sectarian movements and communities appeared. Now, despite the fact that most of the population identifies themselves as Christians, people have become less religious, attend church less often, practically do not observe religious customs and fasts. The head of the Bulgarian is the Patriarch, and the Synod of Metropolitans participates in the adoption of some important decisions.

Protestantism

In the second half of the XIX century. in the Bulgarian town of Bansko for the first time appeared a community of Protestants. It is believed that this was the result of the activities of missionaries who arrived from America. In the northern part of the country, the Methodist denomination is spreading, and the first churches are being erected. In the south, followers of congregationalism began to appear. And at the end of the century, Baptist and Adventist communities are organized. A few more decades later, the composition of the Protestant groups is replenished with Pentecostals who arrived from Russia.

Now different faiths interact with each other. The number of Pentecostals continues to grow, this faith is accepted by many gypsies. Some communities are seriously involved educational activities arrange their own institutes, 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 Apostolicism

Apostolic is also an offshoot of Christianity and one of the religions of Bulgaria. The Armenian community moved to this country during the genocide of 1915. The population has grown in the last 20-30 years, and now the community has more than 10 thousand people (and according to some sources, 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 took place after 1989. With the collapse 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, they try to ennoble churches. Among them - the church of St. George in Plovdiv, the church in Burgas, built in memory of the events of the genocide.