Bulgarian Orthodox Church and BNR join forces to provide spiritual support to compatriots abroad

The Western and Central European Diocese and the National Broadcaster sign a Memorandum of Cooperation

Photo: Darina Grigorova

His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe and BNR Director General Milen Mitev signed a Memorandum of Cooperation at the headquarters of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Diocese of Western and Central Europe in the German capital, Berlin.

The partnership between the Western and Central European Diocese and Bulgarian National Radio envisages joint projects aimed at promoting the role of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in preserving the Orthodox and cultural identity of Bulgarians abroad and fostering unity among them. This will be achieved through the organisation of common church life, Christian education, meetings, discussions, mutual support and charitable and cultural initiatives.

According to Metropolitan Antony, Bulgarian churches abroad serve as 'spiritual bridges that, through prayer, take people's souls to their homeland and back again.'

"We are the living link that gives them more hope, more faith and support in their hardship, encouragement in their life journey," the Hierarch said after signing the document. "Life abroad is hard, harsh, when they are far from home, from the family roots, from their loved ones and friends. Sometimes the Church is the place where they can find support, a second home, and not only satisfy their spiritual needs, but also find solutions to the challenges of their soul and body."

This month, BNR's Radio Bulgaria launches the "Bridge of Faith" podcast, which will introduce Bulgarian Orthodox parishes one by one. There are currently 43 such parishes in the diocese, spread across 14 countries. The series will showcase their history, current state and mission in providing spiritual care to Bulgarians abroad.

"I am very happy that today (16 January) we had the opportunity to formally establish our cooperation with the Bulgarian Diocese for Western and Central Europe and to work together for the benefit of our compatriots in the diocese," emphasised Milen Mitev.

"I believe that together, Bulgarian National Radio and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church will have an even greater impact in uniting Bulgarian communities, not only in the country, but also around the world. BNR has a long history of working for Bulgarians abroad, Mitev said. - We tell their stories, share their successes and challenges, but now we will offer a different perspective on their lives and on how the Orthodox Church plays a unifying role for those of our compatriots who have chosen to live outside the homeland. I believe that both the National Radio, as a public media, and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church are among the institutions that are destined to be pillars of Bulgarian society, and together we will be able to fulfil this role even better".

The "Bridge of Faith" podcast will pay special attention to the Bulgarian Orthodox clergy abroad, the specifics of their ministries and their significance for Orthodox Bulgarians abroad and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

The podcast is a joint initiative of the Bulgarian Diocese Abroad and the BNR. The authors and hosts of the series are Alexandra Karamihaleva - Editor-in-Chief of the Church Newspaper, the official print publication of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church - Bulgarian Patriarchate, and Darina Grigorova - Senior Editor at Radio Bulgaria - BNR.

Photos: Darina Grigorova

Published in English by E. Radkova

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