site.btaPatriarch Daniil Attends Varna Celebrations Marking Anniversaries of Bulgaria's Conversion to Christianity, Creation of Bulgarian Alphabet

St. Tsar Boris Michael paved the way for the Bulgarians to the Kingdom of Heaven and this is the true wealth of the Bulgarian people, said Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil in Varna on Friday. He arrived in the seaside city together with members of the Holy Synod for the celebrations marking the 1160th anniversary of the conversion of the Bulgarian people to Christianity and the 1170th anniversary of the creation of Bulgarian alphabet.

These are two significant events, the Patriarch said. In his words, the path along which Knyaz Boris led Bulgarians has ensured a dignified historical development of the nation. By his choice, the ruler has given, besides the state system, also the faith, morals, aspirations based on the Orthodox faith. "We have survived thanks to the Orthodox faith," the Patriarch said, adding that this refers not only to the historical development of the country, but also to the cultural achievements of its people. He recalled that "Bulgarians have created the alphabet, which is used by many Slavs around the world."

On the occasion of the upcoming protest on May 8 under the slogan "School is not a church", the Patriarch said that the State and the Ministry of Education are carefully considering the whole process of introducing religion in the school curriculum. He expressed the hope that with God's help, the due place will finally be given to the church, which actually gave birth to the school.