A major public forum held in Sofia has reignited the national conversation about the role of religious education in Bulgarian schools. The event, hosted at the National Palace of Culture, gathered high-profile participants including Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil, Grand Mufti Mustafa Hadzhi, parliamentarians, educators, parents, and civil society representatives.

The forum centered on the proposed introduction of a new subject titled “Virtues and Religion” into the national curriculum. The initiative, led by Minister of Education Krasimir Valchev, aims to incorporate spiritual and ethical education in a way that respects Bulgaria’s religious traditions while acknowledging its cultural diversity.

Patriarch Daniil used his address to strongly advocate for the return of religious instruction, declaring: “It is time for the Bulgarian state to restore religious education to its rightful place in our schools.” He emphasized that, according to Bulgaria’s Constitution, Eastern Orthodoxy is recognized as the traditional religion and forms an essential part of the country’s constitutional identity.

“The state has both a moral and a direct duty to raise children in the spirit of the pure knowledge and values of the Orthodox faith, which have given so much to our people and state,” said the Patriarch. At the same time, he stressed the importance of preserving parental choice for families of different faiths or secular beliefs.

Minister Valchev confirmed the government’s willingness to collaborate with religious institutions and civic organizations. He clarified that the new subject would not be limited to Orthodox teachings but would include various modules — including Islam, other world religions, or a secular version focused on ethics and virtues. The course would be mandatory, but students could choose their preferred track.

Currently, religious instruction is only offered as an elective in Bulgarian schools. The proposed reform would mark a significant shift toward integrating moral and religious values into mainstream education, a change that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has been advocating for since the early post-communist period.

The Church has pledged to support the development of educational materials and programs, with Patriarch Daniil stating that the course could help instill moral values and reduce aggression among students.

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