Religious education for children and teenagers, a shortage of teaching materials, and ways to maintain young people’s interest in church life were among the key topics discussed at a meeting of Orthodox religious education teachers in the Sofia Metropolis of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Participants also proposed establishing a shared digital platform for Sunday schools and publishing an Orthodox magazine for children, according to the Bulgarian Patriarchate’s website.

The meeting was held on October 10 with the blessing of Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel. It was chaired by Bishop Ioann of Branitsa, first vicar to the Metropolitan of Sofia, and Archpriest Sava Kokudev, an expert in the metropolis’s Department of Education and Social Activities.

Participants noted that many parishes organize educational and charitable initiatives, but information about these activities and the experience gained often fails to reach other communities. To address this, they proposed creating an online platform for sharing educational resources and teaching materials, alongside a common calendar of Sunday school events.

Particular attention was given to working with teenagers. Teachers observed that traditional teaching methods do not always meet young people’s interests and that many young people’s connections with the Church weaken after they finish Sunday school.

Possible solutions included organizing more youth gatherings, discussions, volunteer projects and Orthodox summer camps to encourage greater participation in church life.

Other challenges included a lack of suitable premises for classes, insufficient teaching resources and the need to make educational facilities more accessible to people with limited mobility.

Artificial Intelligence and Youth Addiction
Participants also examined the impact of artificial intelligence and digital technologies on children and teenagers, as well as the problem of addiction among young people.

Teachers emphasized the importance of educational outreach, face-to-face communication and involving young people in shared activities and community initiatives.

Another initiative discussed at the meeting was the publication of an Orthodox magazine for children in the Sofia Diocese. Bishop Ioann supported the proposal, highlighting the importance of printed publications in spiritual education.

If sufficient funding is secured, the magazine could be distributed free of charge to Sunday school students.

Teachers also shared their experiences organizing pilgrimages, charitable campaigns, theatrical performances, creative activities and icon-painting workshops.

The role of parents in church life was another topic of discussion. According to the educators, Sunday schools can help introduce not only children but entire families to the life of the Church.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants expressed hope that the discussions would lead to practical solutions and new joint projects. The Sofia Metropolis plans to continue holding such gatherings to facilitate the exchange of experience and support the development of Orthodox religious education.