The idea of introducing the subject "Virtues and Religion" in school is not new, but is part of the long-standing position of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. This was stated by His Holiness Patriarch Daniil in an interview with BNT, in which he expressed the position of the BOC on the topic, which has caused a wide public debate.
„Back in the early 1990s, the Holy Synod raised the issue of the spiritual education of children. Back then, we were talking about the subject "Creed" or "God's Law". The idea is not new, but it is still relevant – "Every misfortune for a person begins with moving away from God," the Patriarch said.
Patriarch Daniil emphasized that the new subject does not aim to make children believers or churchgoers, but to provide them with knowledge and moral guidelines in a world where spiritual support is often lacking.
„Faith is not instilled by force. Even the children of priests are not always in church. The goal is to provide information, to educate in goodness. A person must have a choice and know that there is another path - the path of forgiveness, of virtue, of self-control.“
According to him, many of the social problems - crime, aggression, addictions - are rooted precisely in the lack of spiritual education. He cited studies from the beginning of the 20th century, which trace how the elimination of the subject "religion" in some countries leads to an increase in crime.
The Patriarch was categorical that parents who do not want their children to study religious subjects will be able to choose the “Ethics” profile, which is completely secular in content.
„I understand parents who have doubts. I was one too - I grew up in a time when the Church was presented as retrograde. But faith is not imposed, it is discovered. And the choice remains in the hands of the family“, emphasized Patriarch Daniil.
Regarding the staff readiness to teach the subject, the Patriarch admitted that currently religion teachers receive low salaries and are often placed in an unequal position compared to other teachers.
„There are many people with theological education who want to teach. But the subject is currently optional and insufficiently funded. They cannot survive with one or two groups a week. If the subject becomes part of the compulsory curriculum and receives status and funding, there will be demand, and with it a sustainable supply“, he said.
He added that universities are already ready to train teachers. Bachelor's and Master's programs in “Religion and Pedagogy“ have been developed at Sofia and Veliko Tarnovo Universities.
Patriarch Daniil emphasized that the secular state has recognized the place of the church, both in the Constitution and through the Law on Religious Denominations. According to him, this cooperation is already bearing fruit – both in education and in the social sphere.
“The Church offers social services – camps for children, social kitchens, schools of woodcarving, icon painting, spiritual education. Over 500 children pass through the Kremikov Monastery alone every year, entirely supported by the monastery.“
He called on the media to also cover positive examples in order to change public attitudes towards the role of the Church.
When asked what can unite Bulgarians today, Patriarch Daniil replied:
„True unity comes only through love. But this love is not selfish, it begins with faith. Only when a person sees the other as a brother, and not as an enemy or competitor, does true unity come about.“
„I pray that God will shine upon us with His light, that He will turn our hearts to Him. Let us not look for false substitutes for happiness. The meaning of our life is to save ourselves. May God protect Bulgaria.“