„Чикаго – българският град“ – поглед отвън и отвътре

Author(s): Dilyana Ivanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2016

By using the methods of the ethnological research, the present article presents the dynamic of the state of the Bulgarian community in Chicago and its manifestations,as well as the reasons behind the designation of Chicago as the „Bulgarian city“not only by the local Bulgarian group but by the „others“ as well – the society, the authorities and the media in the United States. The study focuses on the spaces ofthe Bulgarians in Chicago and the metropolis, the representative institutions of thecommunity – its churches, schools, cultural and public institutions, the media, thefeasts, the events as well as the places of memory. As a certain manifestation of self-confidence and successful integration of the local Bulgarians in the multiculturalenvironment of Chicago, the article analyses also the book „Chicago – the BulgarianCity“ in which the Bulgarian community describes and identifies itself. This book as well as the examination of the social life and cultural activities of the Bulgarians in Chicago and the suburbs show that the diaspora is interwoven in the American social structure but at the same time maintains its own parallel structure which fits the American nation with its specific character.

Англиканската църква, Източното православие и България (XIX – средата на ХХ в.) Част втора.

Author(s): Zhivko Lefterov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1-2/2015

The first contacts of the Anglican Church with the Eastern Orthodoxy date from the early 17th century and launch a process of rapprochement, which is well known in the international historiography. Over the centuries, until today it has a different intensity depending on the degree of theological negotiations and political situation. The study traces the impact of this process among the Bulgarian Orthodox community and among Bulgarian society, how Bulgarians form their perceptions of the Anglican Church and to what extent the subject goes out of theological dialogue and is publicly known and discussed, and hence politically exploited. The author traces the attitudes and positions which the representatives of the Anglican Church occupy regarding major events related to Bulgaria, and Bulgarian Orthodox Church in the 19th and early 20th century; how individual public officials try to see farther than purely theological dialogue and to use sporadically, albeit unsuccessfully, the benevolence of the Anglican Church to Eastern Orthodoxy in the context of the national tasks that need to be resolved. During the Second World War and the Cold War Anglican-Orthodox rapprochement becomes part of big politics and is influenced by Stalin‘s religious policy. Initially, Stalin relies on the Anglican Church for expansion of Orthodox influence in international organizations, but later he begins to consider it as a rival and opponent. Consequently, the dialogue is restored only after Stalin‘s death, but on the part of Orthodox churches of the socialist camp and particularly Bulgaria it will be subject to the religious policy of „opening“ led by communist parties, which aims to use the churches in the big propaganda war between Orient and Occident about the existing religious freedom behind the Iron Curtain.

Церковно-славянские памятники в библиотеках василианских монастырей

Author(s): Irena Wodzianowska / Language(s): Russian Issue: 5-6/2015

The study closely traces the fate of Church Slavonic monuments in the collections of the Basilian monasteries since the establishment of the Order of the Basilians in 1617 to the period of socialism. A full quantitative and thematic characterization of the manuscripts and books preserved until today is presented against the background of historical events. The author argues that the collections of the Basilian libraries are unique in character and represent a kind of synthesis between western and eastern traditions.

Международна кръгла маса „Поглед към славянската аксиология“

Author(s): Vanya Micheva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 37/2018

Eдна „риза“ за нестинарска икона от с. Визица, община Малко Търново

Author(s): Goran Stefanov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 4/2018

Педагогическите възгледи на старозагорски митрополит Методий Кусев (1838 – 1922) и неврокопски митрополит Борис Разумов (1888 – 1948)

Author(s): Stoyan Chilikov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2020

The paper investigates the pedagogical views of two distinguished bishops from the most recent history of the Bulgarian Church – Metropolitan Methodius Kusev and Metropolitan Boris Nevrokopski. On the basis of comparative analysis the important moments of their Church ministry have been traced, as well as life in the background of the age in which they lived as factors that influenced their pedagogical views. The two bishops identify three important factors in the educational process: faith, family and school. According to them, the influence of materialistic views in the educational process leads to the destruction of the Bulgarian school and society, as a result of which the school only educates without bringing up.

Индулгенции, издавани от източноправославни патриаршии. Част I

Author(s): Philippos Iliou / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2021

The study, published in Greek in 1983–1985, is devoted to a phenomenon in the Eastern Orthodox Church that had not, until then, been the subject of a special research in the field of social history. Based on a vast array of historical sources, the author presents and analyzes facts about the production and distribution of indulgences from the Patriarchates of Constantinople, Alexandria, Jerusalem and Antioch from the 16th to the 20th century. The emergence and gradual establishment of the institution of indulgences in Eastern Orthodoxy is traced within the socio-political and cultural context of four centuries, focusing on the reasons for the introduction of indulgences, the stages of gradual standardization of their text, and the various forms of their distribution. The phenomenon is reflected in detail, taking into account its extension into the field of dogma, economics, social and political relations. The study sheds new abundant light on important issues in the history of the church, societies and attitudes in the world of Eastern Orthodoxy. An inventory of 57 printed Orthodox indulgences is also attached.

Манастирски библиотеки в южнославянските земи и Русия през XIV–XVI век. Доклади от Международната научна конференция, 26–28 април 2021 г.

Author(s): Neli Gancheva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 46/2023

Награден учен

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 46/2023

A Possible Theological-Philosophical Architecture of Interfaith Dialogue between Christianity and Hinduism

Author(s): Ioan Dura,Bogdan Dinoiu,Irinel Ciobotaru,Dumitru Ioan Beșliu / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

The experience of the religious and cultural encounter of East and West was consummated. Both civilizations looked at each other, admired each other, criticized each other, appreciated each other, but could not avoid the continuous encounter on the social space. This encounter is translated into the everyday experience of a world in which religious-cultural boundaries are much more fluid and perishable because of the innovative complex of communication, mobility, and relationship. Extensive research has been produced exploring the stakes of this West-East encounter from historical, cultural, and religious perspectives. Books, studies, and projects have been written about the differences and common elements of this encounter. Our aim in this study is to project the possibility of a new architecture of the dialogue between Christianity and Hinduism, in particular between Orthodox theology and Advaita-Vedanta, one of the darśana in Hinduism, an architecture whose morphology is constituted by the density of the human experience with the divine.

Македонските българи между Цариградската патриаршия и Българската екзархия в края на XIX век. Случаят „Брусник“

Author(s): Angel Zlatkov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 4/2023

Towards the end of the 19th century, approximately . of the Orthodox Bulgarians in the historical-geographic region of Macedonia remained loyal to the Patriarchate of Constantinople, which served the Greek national idea. In the past, as well as today, this fact has raised the question of the national affiliation of the Bulgarian-speaking population in the European domains of the Ottoman Empire. Why did these people, despite the long-term efforts of the Bulgarian Exarchate to attract them to itself, remain loyal to the Patriarchate? The author points out the unequal position of the two church institutions in the Ottoman administrative system as a leading factor that hindered the normal functioning of the Bulgarian Church and severely limited its ability to guarantee the political, religious and cultural-educational rights of the Bulgarian exarchists. On the border between the two centuries, at the center of the struggle for the distribution of the Ottoman heritage in the Balkans, the Bulgarians in Macedonia were faced with a difficult choice, on which depended not only their personal well-being, but sometimes even their lives.

Синтезиран преглед на отношенията между комунистическия режим и Църквата в България

Author(s): Nikolay Poppetrov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2024

Eesti õigeusu kiriku tekstiilide päritolu ja kohalikud mõjud

Author(s): Madli Sepper / Language(s): Estonian Issue: 1 (84)/2023

This article explores liturgical textiles in the Estonian Orthodox Church, examining their historical development, theological significance and contemporary manifestations. Focusing on altar covers, eileton, chalice veils (aer and kalymmata), Epitaphios, and antimension. In this article, I will present liturgical textiles preserved in Estonian Orthodox churches and divide them into four periods. The Tsarist period (since 1840s), the period between the two world wars, the Soviet period and the period of the restored Estonian Republic. The research problem is the lack of knowledge regarding the preservation and age of textiles in Estonian Orthodox churches. To find the answer, I conducted fieldwork studying church textiles in Estonia and compared them to those in neighbouring countries such as Finland and Russia. I analysed order catalogues of church inventory from Tsarist Russian factories and the Project of the Scientific Department of Church Arts at Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox University of Humanities in Moscow. Information about textiles from the period between the two world wars was collected from Estonian Orthodox Church newspapers of that time. Data on Soviet-era textiles was gathered through interviews with old priests and parish clerks. Information on textiles from the period of the restored Estonian Republic was obtained through interviews with priests and clergymen. Contemporary textiles were compared with modern church inventory ordering catalogues.

Земята ще потъне и небесата ще се раздерат: апокалиптични пророчества, свързани с отпадането на Рим от православната вяра (според „Сказание как Рим отпадна от православната гръцка вяра“)

Author(s): Kristiyan Kovachev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 3/2024

The article examines the polemical anti-Latin writings “The Tale of how Rome fell away from the Orthodox Greek faith” (according to manuscript TSIAI 1161) and “Word of how Rome fell” (according to manuscript SANU 147) in the context of the theme of apocalyptic prophecies and the expectation of severe, but God’s just punishment for sins committed. A study of these short but message-laden late medieval texts reveals not only the perception of the conflict between East and West among ordinary people, but also the fear of catastrophic consequences for the world as a result of the violation of church tradition. The change of custom also implies an intervention in the plan of the Creator and changes in the physically visible and spiritual world.

ЕНОРИЯТА КАТО ЕДНО СЕМЕЙСТВО: БЪЛГАРСКАТА ЦЪРКОВНА ОБЩИНА В ЖЕНЕВА

Author(s): Sandra Kerelezova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 19/2021

The text presents the Bulgarian church community “Nativity of the Vir-gin Mary” in Geneva, which is part of the Western and Central European Diocese of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. It contains thoughts shared by Bulgarians participating actively in the development of the newly-created church community. The article focuses on different aspects of parish life: church services, social initiatives, educational activities, etc. It also exam-ines the question of how restrictive measures during a pandemic affect a young church community.

Matrimony between Christians: Historical Dynamics and Canonical Perspective

Author(s): Stanislav Přibyl / Language(s): English Issue: 11/2023

Firstly, the article provides basic information on the biblical teaching on marriage. While the Old Testament sees marriages with numerous offspring as a high value, the New Testament shows a tendency towards celibacy, be it on account of imitating Christ or for the expectation of imminent parousia. The most important author amongst the Fathers of the Church, St. Augustine, made a significant contribution towards forming the Catholic doctrine on marriage upon which drew even the medieval scholastics. In the modern age, the Church complained about the countries which forced their concept of marriage on the Catholic faithful. Even today, the Catholic Church is against the breakdown of marriage by means of divorce. Since the Second Vatican Council, however, there has been a development, for example, as regards contracting marriages between Christians of Catholic and non-Catholic confessions. Prior to the publication of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, this was expressed in the motu proprio of Paul VI Matrimonia mixta, whose regulation did not have to be changed substantially in the Code.

Кирило-Методиевската проблематика в книжнината на Охридската архиепископия (ХІ – ХІІІ В.)

Author(s): Iliya Iliev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2023

Литературната дейност, която се развива в рамките на Охридската архиепископия през периода от нейното възникване в началото на XI в. до времето, когато Димитър Хоматиан заема архиепископския престол в Охрид (началото на XIII в.), е разнообразна и богата Важно място в нея заемат въпросите, свързани с делото на светите братя Кирил и Методий и пренасянето на това дело в България по времето на княз Борис I. Това се дължи на факта, че тези въпроси са били използвани от охридските архиепископи за отстояване на независимия статут на архиепископията по отношение на Константинополската патриаршия. От най-съществено значение за проследяване на кирило-методиевската тема в съчиненията на висшия църковен клир, оглавявал архиепископията през разглеждания период, са следните извори: Климент Охридски, известно още като Дългото житие на Климент, написано от архиепископ Теофилакт през XI в.; 2) Запазеният списък на охридските архиепископи, съставен в средата на XII в. по времето на архиепископ Йоан Комнин (т.нар. Дюканжов списък); и 3) Краткото житие на свети Климент Охридски, написано през XIII в. от архиепископ Димитрий Хоматиан.

The jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Ohrid through the centuries (1019 – 1767)

Author(s): Angeliki Delikari / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

The history of the Ohrid Archbishopric, which researchers have been studying for more than two centuries, is a favourite topic of Slavists (historians, theologians, art historians). In different chronological periods, this Byzantine archbishopric has been the central object of the claims of the Byzantine, Bulgarian and Serbian churches. The importance of the archbishopric also depended on the extent of the territory under its jurisdiction. The function of the archbishopric was ecclesiastical and political. It acted not only as an autocephalous ecclesiastical organization, but also as an institution supporting political structures.

Tsar Samuel in the Ideological Concept of the Ohrid Archbishopric Tradition and Invention (11th-17 century)

Author(s): Mitko Panov / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

The paper treats the issue on the reconstruction of the image of Tsar Samuel from the perspective of the Ohrid Archbishopric. The snapshots from the sources starting from Basil II’s sigillia and other official acts, reveals that the representation of Samuel was largely shaped in accordance with the ideological concept of the Ohrid Archbishopric. Depending on the political constellation and the momentary aims of the ideological propaganda, Samuel was either recognized as the fundamental ruler and inseparable part of the traditions of the Ohrid Archbishopric, or was completely excluded within the constructed theories about the origin оf the Archbishopric. The leading people in the Ohrid Archbishopric constantly modified and constructed the ecclesiastical traditions for the purpose of reinforcing the position and the status of the Archbishopric, in which the Christian saints were also exploited. This tendency also found reflection in the alteration of the original legend about Vladimir and Kosara, that served Archbishopric’s pretensions for obtaining the leading role among the Orthodox Christians in the Balkans. Hence, from the reading of the official works composed for or from the Ohrid Archbishopric we can notice the tendency for adapting, constructing and manipulating the traditions emerging from Samuel’s political and ideological program, that involved the cults and legends originating in Prespa and Ohrid, wherefrom we receive opposed and distorted images of Samuel. Their deconstruction is the main goal of this paper.

Два орнитоморфни графита от храма „Св. София“, Константинопол

Author(s): Thomas Thomov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2023

The first graffito-drawing, from the northern gallery, that we present here contains a heraldic eagle. Byzantium inherited from Rome the use of the one-headed eagle as one of the emblems of imperial power, but it seems that its use as a military insignia disappears too quickly. However, the reliefs, as well as the miniatures, retain the tradition of the one-headed eagle for a long time. Due to the fashion of the eastern fabrics, which turned the two-headed eagle into dominate ornament on the palace garments during the Komnenian period, the usual one-headed eagle was almost completely replaced by this new, imaginary version. The body of the graffito eagle has a teardrop shape and with its almost round top finds a close parallel to some of the eagles on the eastern tissues. However, other details point out to the Byzantine tradition of embroidered silk textiles and reliefs. All this could points to a relative dating of the graffito between the 10th and 13th century.The second graffito is a double-headed eagle standing in heraldic pose from the southern gallery. The graffito drawing represents later image of a crowned double-headed eagle, since the examples with such a motif are more common in the 14th and 15th centuries, when it appears on marble reliefs, textiles with embroidery, seals, coins, sgraffito ceramics and manuscript illustrations. From the end of the XIV – the beginning of the XV century one can find that the heads of double-headed eagles begin to appear with crowns or, very often, a little lily. Based on all the details, but most of all the wings and the shape of the torso, as well as the spur on the left leg, it is possible to accept the relative dating of the first of the graffiti drawings within a time span between the 14th – 15th centuries. The Greek inscription (Tornikios) could hypothetically linked some representative of the famous Armenian (or Georgian) family with the depicted two- headed eagle.It seems to me that in the ornitomorphic-graffiti from the Church of Hagia Sophia is impossible to see nothing than a general image of power or a triumph of good.