“Orthodoxy” becomes a mandatory school subject in Bulgaria

Building of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Sofia. Photo: bg-patriarshia

On October 22, 2025, Bulgaria’s National Assembly approved amendments to the Law on Preschool and School Education, under which the subject “Religion – Orthodoxy” becomes mandatory in the country’s secondary education system, the official website of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church reported.

The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church greeted the decision with joy and spiritual satisfaction, calling it the result of years of effort to restore spiritual upbringing in schools.

“We welcome the wisdom and responsibility shown during the vote, which will allow children and young people to touch the treasure of Holy Orthodoxy and come to know the truths of the faith,” the Bulgarian Patriarchate stated.

According to the hierarchs, the parliament’s decision revives the tradition of Christian education that was interrupted during the atheist regime of 1946–1990. The Church expressed hope that the process of implementing the subject will proceed successfully and bring spiritual fruit to society.

For decades, the Holy Synod had appealed to the authorities to make the course mandatory. Supporters of the initiative organized marches, collected signatures, and prepared textbooks and curricula. The Church describes the parliament’s decision as the culmination of this long struggle – a victory of faith and morality.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a Bulgarian court had ordered the dissolution of an Old Calendarist Orthodox Church.

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