Bulgarian Church Calls to Support Religious Education in Schools: Synod Organizes Procession

The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has issued a public appeal in support of mandatory religious education in the country’s schools. In a statement released on May 14, the hierarchs expressed their support for the introduction of a new course tentatively titled “Virtues and Religion” and announced a procession under the slogan “Virtues and Religion in School,” to be held on May 17 in front of the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky in Sofia. This was reported by Orthodox Christianity.

The Synod called on Orthodox Christians and all interested citizens to take part in the procession and jointly affirm their civic stance on the need for schoolchildren to become acquainted with Orthodox values, moral virtues, and the spiritual heritage of their nation.

Currently, religion is taught as an elective subject, but calls to include it in the core school curriculum are growing louder. According to local media, more than 80% of Bulgarians support the initiative. Minister of Education Krassimir Valchev emphasized that including religious and ethical components in education is consistent with the broader goals of learning, as Christian foundations underpin both Bulgarian and European cultures.

Between 2020 and 2023, the Bulgarian Synod developed and approved new religion textbooks for all grade levels, which received the endorsement of the Ministry of Education. In an earlier statement from August 2023, the hierarchs stressed: “The Church, drawing on its millennial experience, continually highlights the importance of spiritual and moral education from an early age — in the family, church, kindergarten, and school. It carries out this mission out of love for its people, concern for future generations, and compassion for the challenges of modern life.”

It is worth recalling that on April 24, 2025, a major public discussion took place in Sofia about the potential inclusion of a new school subject titled “Virtues and Religion.” The event, held at the National Palace of Culture, gathered government officials, educators, parents, scholars, and religious leaders, including Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria and Grand Mufti Mustafa Hadji.