On July 11, 2024, Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel and members of the Holy Synod held a meeting with President Rumen Radev and Vice-President Iliana Yotova of the Republic of Bulgaria.
The discussion centered around the potential inclusion of “Religion” in the mandatory curriculum of Bulgarian schools, with examples from neighboring countries being highlighted. President Radev and Vice-President Yotova recognized the importance of collaboration between state institutions and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in strengthening ties with Bulgarians abroad, educating children in Bulgarian communities overseas, and preserving the Bulgarian language.
Patriarch Daniel underscored the significant historical and contemporary role of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in the lives of the Bulgarian people. He emphasized that the Church not only focuses on spiritual salvation but also plays a vital role in personal growth, nurturing relationships, promoting traditional Orthodox family values, emphasizing parental and societal responsibility in child rearing, and bolstering public morality.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Patriarch Daniel presented President Rumen Radev with a collection of “Monasteries of Bulgaria” silver medals. In return, President Radev gifted Patriarch Daniel an icon of the “Good Shepherd.”
