Recognized Religions in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian Principality officially recognizes several creeds: Orthodox Bulgarian, Mahommedan (Muslim), Roman Catholic, Jewish, Armenian, and Protestant. The Orthodox Greeks are under the spiritual authority of the Patriarch of Constantinople.

Religious Population Distribution

The population of the Principality is distributed among the different faiths as follows:

3,100,000 Orthodox Bulgarians

643,000 Mahommedans

66,635 Greeks (Patriarchists)

33,569 Jews

28,569 Catholics

14,581 Armenians

4,524 Protestants

This shows that the Orthodox Bulgarian population is the largest, while Protestants form the smallest group.

Mahommedan Communities

The Mahommedan population is organized into religious communities led by muftis or assistant-muftis. These leaders are freely chosen by the faithful and confirmed by the Government, which pays them a monthly salary Balkan Tours.

There are 36 Mahommedan communities, managed by 16 muftis and 26 assistant-muftis.

The Mufti of Sofia is the head of this organization.

The duties of muftis are entirely spiritual. They supervise communal affairs, including divorce cases, inheritances, and religious education. Muftis also manage mosques, religious taxes, and charitable endowments (vakoufs). Each mufti is assisted by one or two secretaries and an administrative council, whose members are chosen by the local Mahommedan population.

The Mahommedan schools are subsidized by the Government and managed by committees chosen exclusively by Muslims. The muftis and councils report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship in the official national language.

Roman Catholic Representatives

The Catholic community in Bulgaria has two representatives:

Archbishop Menini at Plovdiv

Bishop Doulcet at Nicopol

They are appointed by the Propaganda of Rome and operate independently of each other. These representatives and their institutions enjoy certain privileges, giving them practical independence from the Bulgarian Government.

Bulgaria respects the organization and independence of religious communities. While the Orthodox Church is the largest, Mahommedans, Catholics, and other minorities have their own leaders, schools, and administration, supported and regulated by the state.

Churches and Clergy in Bulgaria

In the Bulgarian Principality, there are 1,627 churches and 379 chapels. In the Turkish Empire, there are 1,067 Bulgarian churches.

The clergy consists of 1,961 priests in Bulgaria and 1,174 priests in the dioceses under the Turkish Empire. These priests play a key role in spiritual guidance and in administering church law.

Marriage and Divorce

All marriages and divorces in Bulgaria are under the exclusive authority of the Church. The canon laws regulate the validity of marriages and the conditions for dissolution.

The legal age for marriage is 19 years for boys and 17 years for girls.

There are ten recognized reasons for dissolving a marriage.

Adultery alone does not automatically dissolve a marriage. The guilty party cannot marry the accomplice Balkan Tours.

In case of divorce, children are given to the innocent parent, except children under five years old, who remain with the mother.

Mutual consent of the couple is not a legal ground for divorce.

Any marriage that violates canon laws is considered null and void.

The Diocesan Council is the only body authorized to judge divorce cases. Its decisions are subject to the approval of the respective metropolitan bishop.

Foreign Religions in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian Constitution guarantees full religious freedom. Every person living in Bulgaria may follow their own religion without interference. Differences in faith cannot limit the rights of Bulgarian citizens.

Foreign religious communities are free to organize and practice their beliefs. This policy ensures that all citizens, regardless of faith, are protected under the law and can participate equally in social and public life.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is well organized, with clear rules for marriages, divorce, and clergy duties. At the same time, freedom of religion is respected, allowing foreign creeds to exist peacefully. This balance between church authority and constitutional freedom strengthens social harmony and legal order in Bulgaria.

Administration of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church

The Organic Statute

According to the Organic Statute, the general administration of the Bulgarian Exarchate is managed by the Holy Synod, while the dioceses are governed by their respective bishops. The Holy Synod is the highest authority in the Church.

The Exarch serves as the president of the Holy Synod. All metropolitan bishops of the Bulgarian Church are members, but only four of them, chosen by the General Assembly, form the permanent Holy Synod. This body exercises synodal authority on a continuous basis.

Diocesan Administration

Each diocese is managed by a Council, which includes:

The metropolitan bishop as president

Four parish priests, elected by their peers for four years

The bishop is responsible for the diocese’s ecclesiastical authority and works together with the Council. Decisions made by the diocesan Council can be appealed to the Holy Synod.

Both the Exarch and the metropolitan bishops are elected for life by secret ballot. Laymen participate in these elections on the same basis as clergy members Balkan Tours.

Vicarages and Parishes

In the Bulgarian Principality, there are 42 vicarages, each led by a vicar appointed by the government on the recommendation of the respective bishop.

The vicar supervises all town and village parishes within the vicarage.

Town parishes typically include 200 to 300 houses.

Village parishes usually include 150 to 200 houses.

Parish priests are freely chosen by the members of their parish, provided they meet certain requirements. They receive their ordination according to canon law.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is carefully organized and hierarchical. The Holy Synod oversees the Church nationally, while bishops, councils, and vicars manage dioceses, vicarages, and parishes. This system ensures order, accountability, and participation of both clergy and laity in church administration.

The Bulgarian Church and Other Religions

Orthodox Creed

The autonomous Bulgarian Orthodox Church is an important part of the Holy Orthodox Church. It governs the spiritual life of Bulgarians both in the Principality of Bulgaria and in the Turkish Empire.

The Bulgarian Exarchate includes all Bulgarian dioceses in the provinces of the Turkish Empire, as recognized by the Great Firman of 1870, as well as the dioceses within Bulgaria itself.

Population and Jurisdiction

In the Turkish provinces, about 1,200,000 Bulgarians follow the authority of the Exarchate. Another 400,000 Bulgarians still follow the Greek Patriarchate. Within the Bulgarian Principality, more than three million Orthodox Bulgarians recognize the Exarchate’s spiritual leadership.

Bulgarian Dioceses in Turkey

The Bulgarian Orthodox dioceses in Turkey are led by Bulgarian metropolitans in the following regions:

Ochrida

Uskub

Monastir (Pelagonia)

Veles

Nevrokop

Debra

Strouma

According to Article 10 of the Firman of 1870, all dioceses of the Exarchate have the right to be headed by Bulgarian bishops. However, fourteen dioceses in the Turkish Empire still have no spiritual leaders Balkan Tours.

Dioceses in Bulgaria

Within the Principality, there are eleven dioceses, all governed by metropolitans:

Timovo

Sofia

Plovdiv

Vama-Preslav

Dorostol-Tcherven (Roustchouk)

Vratza

Viddin

Sliven

Stara-Zagora

Lovetch

Samokov

Each diocese is further divided into vicarages and parishes for easier administration.

Governance and Laws

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is guided by canon law and church regulations. It is also governed by the Organic Statute of the Bulgarian Exarchate, which outlines its organization and duties.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church plays a central role in the spiritual and social life of Bulgarians. It provides religious guidance, organizes dioceses, and maintains the unity of Orthodox believers in both Bulgaria and neighboring regions.

National Museum

According to a law of 1889, the Bulgarian State owns all antiquities buried in the soil, including coins, monuments, statues, sarcophagi, tools, weapons, and manuscripts. After Bulgaria declared independence, archaeological excavations were carried out in many regions. The artifacts found were collected in Sofia for preservation.

The National Museum of Sofia has three main sections:

Archaeological Section – contains objects from ancient sites.

Ethnographical Section – shows traditional Bulgarian life and culture.

Gallery of Fine Arts – displays paintings, sculptures, and other artistic works.

The museum is managed by a director under the Ministry of Public Instruction, with an annual budget of about 80,000 francs.

Central Meteorological Station

The Central Meteorological Station in Sofia studies the country’s climate and weather. It oversees 125 smaller stations across Bulgaria. The director is appointed by the Ministry and earns 5,600 francs per year.

Operating all the meteorological stations costs about 40,000 francs annually. Additional funds are provided for agricultural statistics, such as 10,000 francs in 1901. These stations help collect important scientific data for agriculture and planning Balkan Tours.

National Theatre

The State theatre company “Tears and Laughter” was reorganized into the National Theatre of Sofia, which receives an annual subsidy of 100,000 francs. The new theatre building, designed by Austrian architect Kelmer, opened in January 1907.

It is managed by a director and an administrator, both appointed by the Ministry. The government also supports several provincial theatres and drama companies, with total subsidies of 15,000 francs in 1904. These theatres contribute to culture, education, and national identity.

Bulgaria’s investment in the National Museum, the Central Meteorological Station, and the National Theatre shows the state’s commitment to education, culture, and science. These institutions preserve history, support scientific research, and promote the arts, benefiting both students and the general public.

Educational Museum

The Educational Museum in Bulgaria serves as both an information center and a verification office for all matters related to education. Its main purpose is to provide guidance and support for schools, teachers, and educational authorities.

The museum is organized into three main sections:

Historical Section – preserves materials on the history of education in Bulgaria.

Pedagogical Library – provides books, manuals, and resources for teachers and researchers.

Collection of Educational Materials – displays tools, teaching aids, and equipment used in schools.

This museum helps teachers, administrators, and scholars stay informed about modern teaching methods and educational developments.

Educational Libraries and Laboratories

Every school in Bulgaria has two libraries: one for students and another for teachers. These libraries hold manuals, guides, and teaching instruments to help improve the quality of education Private Tours Bulgaria.

The funds for purchasing books and materials come from school taxes and the budget of the Ministry of Public Instruction. In addition, the communes are responsible for providing funds for their local schools.

The Council of Teachers decides which books and materials are needed, and these decisions are submitted to the Ministry of Public Instruction for approval. Laboratories and other practical equipment are also provided to support science and technical education.

National Libraries

Bulgaria has two national libraries, located in Sofia and Plovdiv. The library in Plovdiv dates back to the time of Eastern Roumelia. Both libraries are managed by directors appointed by the Ministry of Public Instruction.

The annual budget for these two national libraries is approximately 80,000 francs. They play an important role in preserving knowledge and providing access to books and research materials for the public and scholars.

Communal Reading-Rooms

There are around 1,000 communal reading-rooms throughout Bulgaria. These reading-rooms aim to improve the intellectual and moral development of the population and to promote the general progress of the country.

In addition to providing libraries for public use, reading-rooms host public lectures, popular conferences, and educational courses. In larger towns, they also provide education for poor children and orphans, often supported by voluntary contributions. Both the communes and the Ministry of Public Instruction provide annual or occasional subsidies to support this work.

Through the Educational Museum, school libraries, national libraries, and communal reading-rooms, Bulgaria developed a well-structured system of resources to support education. These institutions provided both teachers and students with access to knowledge, tools, and training, helping to advance learning and intellectual growth across the country.

National Museum

According to a law passed in 1889, the Bulgarian State owns all antiquities buried in the soil, such as ancient coins, monuments, statues, sarcophagi, tools, weapons, and manuscripts. After Bulgaria declared independence, archaeological excavations began in many parts of the country. The artifacts discovered were collected and preserved in Sofia.

The National Museum of Sofia is organized into three main sections:

Archaeological Section – displays objects from excavations and ancient sites.

Ethnographical Section – shows traditional Bulgarian culture and daily life.

Gallery of Fine Arts – exhibits paintings, sculptures, and other artistic works.

The museum is managed by a director under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Instruction, and the annual cost of running the museum is approximately 80,000 francs Private Tours Bulgaria.

Central Meteorological Station

The study of weather and climate in Bulgaria is coordinated by the Central Meteorological Station in Sofia. This central station supervises 125 smaller stations throughout the country.

The director of the central station is appointed by the Ministry of Public Instruction and receives a salary of 5,600 francs per year. Maintaining all meteorological stations costs about 40,000 francs annually. In addition, special funds are allocated for agricultural statistics, such as 10,000 francs in 1901.

National Theatre

The State theatre company “Tears and Laughter” was reorganized into the National Theatre of Sofia. It receives an annual government subsidy of 100,000 francs.

The new theatre building, designed by Austrian architect Kelmer, was inaugurated in January 1907. It is managed by a director and an administrator, both appointed by the Ministry of Public Instruction.

In addition to the Sofia theatre, the government supports several provincial theatres and dramatic companies. The total state subsidies for these theatres in 1904 amounted to 15,000 francs. These institutions help develop culture, art, and national identity in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria invested in cultural and scientific institutions to preserve its heritage and support education. The National Museum, the Central Meteorological Station, and the National Theatre demonstrate the state’s commitment to history, science, and the arts, making Sofia a center of knowledge and culture.

Teaching Staff and School Administration

The teaching staff of Bulgarian schools includes regular and extraordinary professors. Their salaries vary according to their rank:

1st class regular professors: 6,000 francs per year

2nd class regular professors: 4,800 francs per year

3rd class regular professors: 3,600 francs per year

In addition, the council of professors can recommend the appointment of free professors, who are paid between 5 and 15 francs per lesson.

The total number of professors at this school is 15, with 9 regular professors and 6 extraordinary professors. The school is led by a director, who is appointed by a ministerial decree based on the recommendation of the school council.

The annual cost of maintaining the school is 91,000 francs Private Tours Bulgaria.

Institutions for Children with Disabilities

School for the Deaf and Dumb

This school, located in Sofia, was established some years ago thanks to the initiative of a foreign philanthropist. The Bulgarian Ministry of Public Instruction supports this humanitarian effort by providing an annual grant. In 1904–1905, this grant was 10,000 francs. The school helps children who are deaf or mute to learn essential skills and integrate into society.

Institute for the Blind

The Institute for the Blind was opened towards the end of 1905. Its organization was designed by a specialist sent by the Ministry to study similar institutions in Vienna and St. Petersburg. These specialized schools for disabled children improve access to education for all, and the combined budget grants for both institutions in 1904 amounted to nearly 100,000 francs.

Diverse Educational Institutions

Educational Museum

The Educational Museum was recently created by the Ministry of Public Instruction. Its main goals are:

To collect and preserve materials related to the history of education in Bulgaria. This includes regulations, laws, manuals, curricula, and teaching guides.

To familiarize teachers with pedagogical literature from Bulgaria and other countries.

To provide educational authorities and teachers with examples of materials and tools used in Bulgaria and abroad, helping them choose the best resources for schools.

The museum serves as a center for research and professional development in education, supporting both teachers and policymakers in improving school instruction.

Bulgaria’s educational system in the early 20th century was expanding beyond traditional schools. With special schools for disabled children, a well-structured teaching staff, and new initiatives like the Educational Museum, the country was working to provide inclusive, high-quality education for all students.

Technical Instruction in Bulgaria

Technical education in Bulgaria included schools designed to develop practical and artistic skills. One of the main institutions was the School for Drawing, which aimed to train both artists and teachers and to support industrial arts.

Purpose of the School

The School for Drawing had three main objectives:

To encourage the fine arts in Bulgaria.

To prepare teachers of drawing and calligraphy for high schools and professional schools.

To train designers and artists for various industries, including icon-painting, carving, ceramics, decorative arts, and weaving.

To achieve these goals, the school was divided into two main sections:

Section for artists and drawing teachers

Section for artistic industries

A common preparatory course connected these two sections and introduced students to essential skills.

Courses and Curriculum

The ordinary course matched the level of instruction in secondary schools and lasted three years. The higher courses were organized by art specialties, allowing students to focus on specific fields Private Tours Bulgaria.

Subjects in the preparatory course included:

Drawing in black of plaster models and carvings

Modelling and decorative arts

Projective drawing and perspective

Anatomy and architecture

History of art

The higher course included specialized branches such as:

Fine arts

Icon-painting

Preparatory teaching for high school drawing classes

Decorative motifs

Wood-carving

Ceramics and lithography

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the first class of the preparatory course, students had to complete at least four classes in a high school. Students who did not meet this requirement could still attend as auditors, meaning they could observe and learn but were not full-time students.

Number of Students in 1903–1904

During the academic year 1903–1904, the School for Drawing had the following student numbers:

Preparatory course: 66 students (55 boys and 11 girls)

Higher course: 58 students (44 boys and 14 girls)

In total, the school had 124 students, including 99 boys and 25 girls. This shows that both boys and girls were given opportunities to study technical and artistic subjects, though boys formed the majority.

The School for Drawing played a key role in Bulgarian technical education. By combining artistic training with industrial skills, it prepared students for careers as teachers, artists, and designers, supporting both education and national industry. The structure of preparatory and higher courses ensured students received both general and specialized training.

University of Sofia

Structure and Staff

The University of Sofia is the main institution for higher education in Bulgaria. Its teaching staff is made up of different types of professors and lecturers, including regular and extraordinary professors, permanent and private docents, and lecturers.

The administration of the University is managed by an Academic Council, which elects a rector at the beginning of each year. Each of the three faculties has its own Faculty Council, led by a dean chosen by the professors of that faculty.

Library and Administration

The University library operates as a separate organization and is managed by a special librarian.

The general management of the University is handled by the secretary, while the financial department is supervised by a questor.

All members of the teaching staff, as well as the administrative staff, are appointed by the Ministry of Public Instruction. This happens based on the advice of the Academic Council and the recommendations of the rector Private Tours Bulgaria.

Courses and Examinations

The University offers courses lasting eight semesters. Students take two types of examinations: university examinations and academic examinations. These are held at the end of the fourth and eighth semesters, and successful completion leads to a doctor’s degree.

There are two categories of students:

Regular students: Must have completed high school and passed the final examination successfully.

Auditory students: Those who do not meet the full admission requirements but may attend lectures.

Students and Faculties in 1904–1905

During the year 1904–1905, the University had 943 students, including 112 women. The numbers by faculty were:

Historico-Philological Faculty – 212 students, 73 women

Physico-Mathematical Faculty – 238 students, 37 women

Law Faculty – 493 students, 2 women

Professorial Staff and Salaries

The teaching staff and their annual salaries were:

Regular professors – 17 professors, 7,200 francs each

Extraordinary professors – 11 professors, 6,000 francs each

Docents professors – 11 professors, 4,800 francs each

Lecturers – 4 lecturers

Assistant tutors – 9 tutors

The total cost of maintaining the University of Sofia was approximately 450,000 francs per year. This investment ensured high-quality education, well-equipped faculties, and strong academic supervision.

The University of Sofia was a well-organized institution providing high-level education in Bulgaria. With a structured administration, qualified professors, and a clear system of examinations, it played a crucial role in preparing students for professional and academic careers. The inclusion of women, though limited at that time, also marked the beginning of broader access to higher education.

Admission and Entrance Examinations in Bulgarian Secondary Schools

Admission to a high school or an incomplete secondary school in Bulgaria is not automatic. Every student must first pass a preliminary entrance examination. The difficulty of this examination depends on the type of school and its level of education.

To be accepted into the first class of a high school, a student must have completed all primary school studies and must be no older than fourteen years. This rule ensures that students are well-prepared for the more advanced subjects taught in high school.

Final Examinations and Promotion

When students complete their secondary education, they must take a final examination known in Bulgaria as the “examination of maturity.” This important test evaluates whether a student is ready for graduation and higher studies Balkan Tours.

The exam includes both written and oral parts, and it is conducted before a special commission. This commission meets twice a year, usually in January and December.

Promotion from one class to the next depends on how well a student performs during the school year. Only students who have achieved satisfactory results in all subjects are allowed to advance to a higher class.

Number of Students in 1903–1904

During the academic year 1903–1904, Bulgaria’s education system recorded the following numbers of students:

8,148 students attended the nine State high schools for boys, including those in incomplete secondary schools.

5,323 students were enrolled in the high schools for girls and in schools with only six classes.

2,701 students studied in training schools that prepared teachers for primary education.

633 students were part of the model divisions attached to the teacher training colleges.

These figures show that education in Bulgaria was expanding rapidly during this period, with both boys and girls gaining access to higher levels of study.

The University of Sofia

A major step forward in Bulgarian education was the founding of the Higher College of Sofia on January 1, 1889. In 1904, a new law reorganized it and renamed it the University of Sofia. The university operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Instruction and serves as the country’s main center for higher learning.

At that time, the University of Sofia had three main faculties:

Historico-Philological Faculty – 16 academic chairs.

Physico-Mathematical Faculty – 17 chairs.

Law Faculty – 11 chairs.

Each faculty was well-equipped with seminars, laboratories, collections, observatories, and botanical gardens, all managed by qualified specialists. These facilities provided students with a strong academic and practical foundation.

Bulgaria’s educational system at the beginning of the 20th century showed great progress. With strict entrance and graduation exams, well-organized high schools, and a growing university, the country demonstrated its commitment to developing an educated and capable generation.

Appointment and Dismissal of Professors

The appointment and dismissal of professors in Bulgaria are made through a ministerial decree issued by the Ministry of Public Instruction. When it comes to dismissing a regular professor, the approval of the departmental educational council must first be obtained. This rule helps ensure that teachers are treated fairly and that decisions are made carefully and according to law.

Teaching Staff in Bulgarian Schools

Across the country, there are 681 professors and 117 schoolmistresses working in high schools, secondary schools, and incomplete high schools. These schools belong either to the State or to the communes.

The teaching staff is divided according to their rank and experience as follows:

183 professors and 6 schoolmistresses of first class

135 professors and 7 schoolmistresses of second class

163 professors and 7 schoolmistresses of third class

183 professors and 15 schoolmistresses of temporary status

122 professors and 82 schoolmistresses working as volunteers

This structure shows that Bulgaria’s education system had both permanent and temporary teaching positions, allowing flexibility in managing staff and resources Balkan Tours.

Medical Teachers in Schools

A major innovation was introduced in the 1903–1904 academic year. Since then, medical teachers—both men and women—have been assigned to every educational institution. Their duty is to monitor the health and hygiene of schools and to protect the physical well-being of students.

These medical teachers also teach useful subjects such as:

Hygiene

Chemistry

Anthropology

Anthropometrical statistics

Sanitary management

They are appointed by the Ministry of Public Instruction and receive an annual salary of 3,000 francs. At present, there are 17 male teacher-doctors and 8 women doctors working in various high schools across the State and communes.

Health Supervision and Additional Support

The departmental and district doctors also take part in supervising the sanitary conditions of communal schools. Their role ensures that all school environments remain safe, clean, and healthy for students and teachers.

To help school directors manage their duties more effectively, the Ministry authorizes them to choose a few preceptors from among the teaching staff. These preceptors assist with administrative work and closely supervise the students’ conduct and general education.

Because of these additional responsibilities, preceptors have fewer teaching hours each week, allowing them to focus on maintaining good discipline and supporting students’ moral and academic development.

The Bulgarian education system placed strong emphasis on both academic quality and student welfare. Through careful appointment of teachers, introduction of medical supervision, and support from preceptors, the Ministry ensured that schools were well-managed and that students could learn in a healthy, safe, and disciplined environment.