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The article discusses the history of the state-church relations in Bulgaria as of August 2015. Also cited are the era of Christianization during the First Bulgarian State in the 9th century, the criticism by writer Peter Mutafchiev of the Bulgarian religious elite and leaders during the era, and the establishment of the Second Bulgarian State, which was characterized by the proliferation of heretical movements like the Bogomil movement.

Over the past centuries Bulgarian people experienced severe religious and ethnic threats due to which they have developed defense mechanisms and a strong sense of sympathy for persecuted ethnic and social groups. In recent history, this reflex was manifested most clearly in the behavior of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in defense of the Bulgarian Jews. At the same time two other events, however, reveal its controversial image that caused it a severe damage. In recent years, many Bulgarians are seeking the moral dimensions of these phenomena that influence the spirituality and morality of the younger generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]