Patriarch of Bulgaria calls for return of religious education to schools
Patriarch Daniel stated that the subject «Virtues and Religion» will help children learn about the Orthodox faith and the history of Bulgarian education.
On July 1, Patriarch of Bulgaria Daniel stated that the subject «Virtues and Religion» should be introduced in Bulgarian schools so that children can gain knowledge of the Orthodox faith and spiritual tradition, as he said in an interview for the programme «A Matter of Measure».
The Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church noted that the Holy Synod has a «strong desire» for the subject «Virtues and Religion» to appear in Bulgarian schools. According to him, this is necessary so that children «have access to information» and can receive education «on the subjects of the Orthodox faith».
Patriarch Daniel emphasized that such a subject will help schoolchildren acquire a general culture and better understand both the past of their people and the processes taking place in contemporary society and the world.
Speaking about the reasons for the return of religious education, the Primate of the BOC stated that it is connected with the desire to «restore historical justice». He recalled that «the Bulgarian school emerged from the Orthodox Church» and was established by the Church.
The Patriarch also described the current unwillingness to know the church tradition from which Bulgarian education grew as «not beneficial». According to him, it is important that as many people as possible learn about the faith, are able to «encounter the Lord Jesus Christ» and experience an inner spiritual transformation.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Daniel supported Bulgaria's refusal to impose sanctions against the Primate of the ROC.
