"Bulgarians think about religion only on great holidays", said Prof. Hristo Matanov (former head of the Directorate for Religious Affairs) on Nova News.
"Church attendance was massive at the beginning of democracy, now there is a big drop in interest. The church must be closer to the people and change. The new Patriarch Daniil wants to bring it back close to the people. If it is just an institution, there is no point in it” said the historian.
Regarding the introduction of the subject "Virtues and Religions" in school, the professor emphasized that such a type of education has no special traditions in our country. He is against having religious instruction in its pure form for children, because not all are Orthodox Christians.
According to Matanov, basic knowledge of religions should be given, but the practice of faith should not be imposed. He hopes that some kind of balanced curriculum will be adopted.