Blagovest Varbakoff | Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" (original) (raw)

Papers by Blagovest Varbakoff

Рождество Христово: Да извисим духа си по-високо от прахоляка по обувките ни! (In Bulgarian), 2024

This publication – “Nativity of Christ: Let’s Lift Our Spirit Higher Than the Dust on Our Shoes!”... more This publication – “Nativity of Christ: Let’s Lift Our Spirit Higher Than the Dust on Our Shoes!” – is an interview in which an overview analysis of the past political and church events in Bulgaria in 2024 is made. This publication also represents a biographical portrait of the interviewee and author of this article regarding the beginning and development of his professional activities. The following topics were discussed: the theological content of the Nativity of Christ holiday is clarified, the processes surrounding the election of the new patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church are followed, and the dynamic political situation in Bulgaria is analyzed. Short psychological portraits of the deceased patriarch Neophyte (1945-2024) and the new Daniil (b. 1972) were also made.

Ден за размисъл или време за мълчание – християнски ориентири (In Bulgarian), 2024

The author started work on the present article – “Day of Reflection or Time to Keep Silence – Chr... more The author started work on the present article – “Day of Reflection or Time to Keep Silence – Christian Guidelines” – a day before the next consecutive snap elections in Republic of Bulgaria on Oct. 27th, 2024. Nobody in the country can say anymore what their number in turn is. For nearly four years from the summer of 2021, the political crisis marked its apex. The author feels, contrary to his hopes, that an exit from such a dead end can hardly be found. Unfortunately, political narratives are still aggravated, malicious and scandalous which crashes any attempt to reach consensus for the benefit of the public and the country. The author muses in hoping that the Day of Reflection would not be perceived in its narrow literary meaning, nut in a broader sense as a possibility for drawing an adequate balance between the past and the present for these would be life landmarks of people’s expectations for the future.

In the so-called Day of Reflection, under Bulgarian legislation stipulated on the day before the Ballot Day, whatever kind the elections should be, voters are granted by law a 24 period for taking a decision without pressure from the outside (under art. 182, para. 4 of the Elections Code regulating non-admissible election campaigning in the Ballot Day). The legislator presupposes that the voter shall take an informed decision and not be suddenly and arbitrarily dawned and persuaded by a sum of money, whatever the amount (hinting evidently to the hypothesis of the so-called bought or controlled vote). The musings of the author are not necessarily subjected to the issue of the significance of elections themselves due to the fact that any reasonable person is fully aware of the answer – elections are the only legitimate method of upholding democracy in all its aspects, regardless of the fact that till recently there have been many totalitarian regimes that legitimized their rule via allegedly democratic ballots. Rather, the author’s humble attempt is at sharing his perception of the Day of Reflection in a more politically biased context that is conceptually grounded in the abstract theological discourse. The reason for such a cognitive symbiosis is not rooted in the outcomes of a self-righteous whim for detailed innovative perusal, but rather in the deep necessity to resort to keeping silent to oneself. Hence, the author considers this much maligned Day of Reflection, recently attempted to be effaced at Parliament, as an attempt to be rethought as “time for keeping silence”. Alas, verbiage on the topic is inevitable, especially in the light of the above-mentioned cognitive symbiosis.

The author is not oblivious to the perplexity this article will bring to the readers as to why the topic which pertains to the political life in the country should not be left to the ambit of political science and sociology, and moreover, as to why should it be pushed to applied theology, especially Christian theology. Realizing this to the full, the author feels audacious to make the attempt due to the circumstances of the present extremely aggravated Day of political and interpersonal confrontation and antagonism. He firmly believes that namely such findings of the day being highly aggravated presuppose the counter decisive intervention of theological thought, since theology has a saying.

За мъжеството на жената (В търсене на антропологични, социокултурни и библейски основания) (In Bulgarian), 2024

The following article – “On Woman’s Masculinity: In Search of Anthropological, Socio-Cultural and... more The following article – “On Woman’s Masculinity: In Search of Anthropological, Socio-Cultural and Biblical Grounds of it” – shares the author’s own thoughts and deliberations on the manhood of woman that come to mind in relation to contemporary sexual education of adolescents mainly in the light of their perception of sexuality both anthropologically and psychologically. Such raucous issues turn even more acute in high profile cases about the admissibility in trying to introduce new conceptions of the so called “traditional sexuality”. The debate on the Istanbul convention in 2018 and the subsequent decision of the Bulgarian National Assembly as of Aug. 7th, 2024 on amendments in the Preschool and School Education Act (art. 11, para 2), banning the teaching about and/or propagating, promoting and endorsing alternative sexual orientation and/or gender identity, other than the proper biological one, in official school curricula is indicative of how important it is to adequately comprehend the topic. It is a prerequisite for attentively rethinking of the contents and the subsequent messages affecting children on the road to getting aware of their natural sexuality in line with their true biological affiliation.

Negative international impact of the Summer Olympic Games Opening in Paris also provoked the author to muse on the issue. It was incited not so much because of the hysterical outbursts about the scandalous interpretation of Leonardo’s “Last Supper” (which actually turned out to be an artists’ sketch on Jan Hermans van Beilert’s “The Feast of Gods”), but rather because by aiming to impose a tendency of merging and mixing up gender identity and sexual attraction as natural, in the author’s view, is false. That is, in other words, the concept that anthropological, meaning sex, characteristics are not deliberative and hence optional for an individual’s sexuality, and hence is rendering sexuality a matter of choice.

An answer to the issue of sexuality as a conservative or liberal conception of the biological norm is being discussed in this article from an anthropological, socio-cultural, and finally a biblical point of view. These are also the theoretical grounds for determining the concepts of “masculinity” and “femininity” (as by the method of Geert Hofstede’s sociological analysis), but also of masculinity as a quality assessment of will. The focus is put on the masculinity of the woman in light of the most immaculate of all women, that is the mother of God. At the day of celebrating The Assumption, Aug. 15th (by the Orthodox calendar of festivities), such a topic should not be deemed unacceptable to the memory of the Blessed Virgin, but rather should be a reason to reflect on the difference between masculinity and manhood, having in mind the exceptional merits of this blessed woman (see Luca 1:28).

Религиозност, църковност и патриархалност – социологическа равносметка (In Bulgarian), 2024

On Sept. 11th, 2024, the sociological agency “Gallup International Balkan” published a social pol... more On Sept. 11th, 2024, the sociological agency “Gallup International Balkan” published a social polls survey conducted for the period Aug. 1st-9th by the face-to-face method on the ratings (in percentage of approval) of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The polls represent two major issues the author calls states. Firstly, what are the ratings as of to date of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and, secondly, what are the ratings of its incumbent Head of Family, the newly elected Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil.

The article – “Religiousness, Ecclesiasticism, and Patriarchality – A Sociological Review” – centers on the above-mentioned data from the “Gallup” agency comparing them in a historical perspective to the political and cultural changes in the country from the time of the early 1990s. The epoch was rather tumultuous and dynamic for the countries of the former Soviet Union bloc, leading to the presently emerged war conflicts in Eastern Europe (between Russia and Ukraine) and in the Middle East (between Israel and Palestine). The approach of discussing and analyzing those data exactly from such a perspective consists in the fact that there is a high level of similarity – public opinion approval on the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and its then Patriarch Maxim (1914-2012) some 30 years ago is similar in tendency to the present polls, according to “Gallup”. Answering the question what the reasons for that are, the article tries to outline the circumstances that yes, there is similarity in the tendencies, given that the political background at the time was loaded with a different public urge for change of the political system from totalitarian to democratic.

За новия Български патриарх Даниил – между канона и закона (In Bulgarian), 2024

This publication examines the personality of the newly elected Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil from Ju... more This publication examines the personality of the newly elected Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil from June 30, 2024 of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate. Attention is focused on three main aspects: the first is about the preparation of the patriarchal election, according to the Statute of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church; the second is about the very election of Patriarch Daniil and the public attitudes towards him; and the third and last aspect is about the positions of Patriarch Daniil towards the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the newly established Orthodox Church of Ukraine, also expressed as the Vidin Metropolitan.

Четвъртият Български патриарх – между житейския избор и жребия на съдбата (In Bulgarian), 2024

The article is dedicated to the newly elected Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil Vidinsky (June 30, 2024)... more The article is dedicated to the newly elected Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil Vidinsky (June 30, 2024). In separate points, his expressed positions regarding the new Orthodox Church in Ukraine (created by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in 2019), as well as the Russian-Ukrainian war of 2022, are considered. A brief review of the state of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church during the rule of the Bulgarian Patriarchs Cyril (1901-1971), Maxim (1914-2012), and Neophyte (1945-2024) is also made and the challenges that Patriarch Daniil will face during his activity as Patriarch are highlighted.

Господи, не вярвам на Църквата, но вярвам в Теб! (In Bulgarian), 2024

The present article is an attempt in a philosophical theological discourse to resolve the issue, ... more The present article is an attempt in a philosophical theological discourse to resolve the issue, recently becoming a trend, of observing a marked tendency of faith in God but mistrust in the Church as an institution. The answer requires to comply with the basic principles of religious knowledge as innate in the human consciousness. The concept of God’s existences a superpower is still up-to-date, apart from its many transformations depending on social cultural political and economic particularities in different countries and regions. The article especially emphasizes of public attitudes to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, making a conceptual perusal of the prerequisites for decline in confidence in it. A conclusion is drawn that faith in God by itself forms the idea of an abstract God aiming to avoid allegiance to a particular church as an institution. The debate on institutionalized faith or the Church is subject to a thorough scientific viewpoint of the author on the topic of faith as religion and religion as faith, singled out as saving ecclesiastical teachings.

Църквата като единна и съборна, и споменът за Българския патриарх Неофит (1945-2024) (In Bulgarian), 2024

The present article is inspired by a statement of Eleonora Mitrofanova, Russian Ambassador in Bul... more The present article is inspired by a statement of Eleonora Mitrofanova, Russian Ambassador in Bulgaria, on the day of the chant of the late Bulgarian Patriarch Neofyte, criticizing the presence of the Ukrainian Head of Orthodox Church Epyphanius at the chant as a provocative act to the Moscow Patriarch Cyrilus, claiming the Ukrainian Church is still not recognized by the Orthodox churches, including the Bulgarian one, by the conviction of Patriarch Cyrilus, this present arbitrariness on the part of the Ecumenical Patriarchy. Taking occasion by Mitrofanova’s words, the article is focused on the issue of the unity and congregation of the church from a historical and theological point of view, making comparison to the contemporary state of affairs of Orthodox churches, especially after establishing the Ukrainian church and its granting an autocephalous status by the Universal Patriarchy in 2019. Further, following the Russian-Ukrainian war of 2022, the events juxtaposed the stands of the local churches as to the role of the of Church in state policies, namely the Russian Orthodox Church and the attitude of Patriarch Cyrilus to President Putin’s policy, on the one hand, and as of the legitimacy of the Universal Patriarchy’s leading role among the rest of the Churches in resolving internal clerical disputes, on the other. These are key issues of canonical nature whose solutions require an insight back in time, in the first place, and, secondly, a reconciliation of the imposed and established traditions of the Orthodoxy. Primarily, the author’s considerations and deliberations in this article are aimed at delineating the image of Patriarch Neofyte as a First Hierarch of the Bulgarian Church, but also as a farsighted clerical diplomat, seeking dialogue rather than confrontation, which were some of the grounds on which he was unjustly deemed indecisive n his actions. As a matter of fact, exactly this trait of a person constantly pursuing dialogue reveals his utterly God devoted mind, pertaining to a gentle, humble and wise in his knowledge of God spiritual person.

Религиозната принадлежност като етническа идентификация или политическа конфронтация – по примери от история на религиите (In Bulgarian), 2023

The following article (“Religious Affiliation as Ethnic Identification or Political Confrontation... more The following article (“Religious Affiliation as Ethnic Identification or Political Confrontation – Exemplified by the History of Religions“) has resulted from a lecturing course “Religious Radicalization” as stipulated in the curriculum of the Master degrees to the Academy of the Ministry of Interior of Bulgaria. The body of the article thematically follows some of the key aspects in the program of this lecture sequence. Firstly, the specificity of the research methodology used by religious historians in their survey of worldwide religions has been outlined. Secondly, the article considers the two major concepts by which religions are categorized as polytheistic and monotheistic. To that end, examples of the doctrines of ancient religions are given, focusing on the ancient Egyptian religion. With regard to the latter, a theory is exposed that by the reforms of the pharaoh Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV) it had transformed from polytheistic to “subordinated monotheistic” religion since it had continued to sustain the idea for the supremacy of a single deity, the Sun God (Aton), over the rest of the deities worshiped from before the implemented reform to the ancient Egyptian pantheon. Thirdly, some parallels are made between the reformed ancient Egyptian religion and Judaism; similarities and differences are sought in the doctrines of these two religions – the one of Akhenaten of the so called “subordinated monotheism” and that of the biblical patriarch Abraham of authentic monotheism. In the fourth place, the issue of Judaism’s influence on the emergence and development of Christianism and Islam is deliberated, as well as its influence on their respective doctrines. In conclusion, the significance of religious affiliation is highlighted in the prism of defining ethnic identities.

Три непринудени коментара за политиката и политиците (In Bulgarian), 2023

The following article (“Three Artless Comments on Politics and Politicians“) focuses on the troub... more The following article (“Three Artless Comments on Politics and Politicians“) focuses on the troublesome political situation in Bulgaria as a reaction of the public discontent in 2021. In essence, the article consists of three commentaries published in a Bulgarian information site, dedicated to the issues of the morals of Bulgarian parliamentarism, populism that is poisoning democracy by its propagandas and Bulgarian society’s preference to rulers that are former militaries rather than intellectuals (e.g. former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and the re-elected a second term of office Roumen Radev).

On Innovation, Technology and Investment: Or What a President Might Say About Them? (In Bulgarian), 2023

This publication (“On Innovation, Technology and Investment: Or What a President Might Say About ... more This publication (“On Innovation, Technology and Investment: Or What a President Might Say About Them?”) is a solemn speech to the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Rosen Plevneliev (2012-2017), on the occasion of his public lecture on the topic “Innovations, Technologies, Investments – Challenges and Perspectives in the Global World”, held on May 17, 2023 before students from the University of Architecture, Construction and Geodesy in Sofia. President Plevneliev's professional experience is not only in the field of politics, but also in business, especially in investment construction, which directly concerns architecture students. In view of Mr. Plevneliev's political and business career, he is perceived in society as the “President-Businessman”.

One Hundred Years of Higher Theology in Bulgaria: Some Theological Reflections in the Theology of Professors Fr. Nikolay Shivarov and Totyu Koev (In Bulgarian), 2023

This publication (“One Hundred Years of Higher Theology in Bulgaria: Some Theological Reflections... more This publication (“One Hundred Years of Higher Theology in Bulgaria: Some Theological Reflections in the Theology of Professors Fr. Nikolay Shivarov and Totyu Koev”) is dedicated to the celebration of the centenary of the Faculty of Theology at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” (1923-2023). Specifically, the theological reflection of the orthodox theology professors Fr. Nikolay Shivarov (1930-2022) and Totyu Koev (1928-2006) is examined. Attention is paid to some of their theological theses, which relate to basic questions about the study of theology, not only as a spiritual vocation, but also as a scientific field of universal knowledge. Among them are questions about the contemporary challenges of academic theology and the theological responses that should be given in view of globalization. These questions are considered in relation to the theological views of the mentioned professors of theology.

The Law Between the Objective Reading and the Subjective Idea (In Bulgarian), 2022

The study “The Law Between the Objective Reading and the Subjective Idea”, the topic of justice i... more The study “The Law Between the Objective Reading and the Subjective Idea”, the topic of justice in relation to law is examined. The author‘s understanding of this topic is presented. The question of law is thought out in its objective and subjective aspects. Morality and goodness are also examined in relation to law, and their clarification is from a philosophical and theological point of view.

Karl Popper’s Theory of Democracy – Substance and Projections (In Bulgarian), 2022

The study “Karl Popper’s Theory of Democracy – Substance and Projections” makes an attempt at ana... more The study “Karl Popper’s Theory of Democracy – Substance and Projections” makes an attempt at analysing the conceptual framework of democracy as a political ideology opposing the totalitarian one in view of their clash in Europe which marked the so-called Cold war period. In particular, the study analyses the democratic changes in Bulgaria from the end of 1989 at the background of similar changes in other post-socialist countries. The research analysis is based firstly on philosophical discourse, following the hermeneutic approach, and, secondly, on the historical critical method facilitated by comparative analysis approach. A starting point in this study of the theoretical projections of democracy is a comparative analysis between the philosophical political stands about democracy of two authors, namely Francis Fukuyama and Karl Popper. The study focuses on what is common and what diverges in these two positions. In analysing the state of Bulgarian democracy, the historical critical method has been adopted, particularly contrasting it to the ideas of Karl Popper regarding problems of democracy, as related in his 1987 political essay “On the Theory of Democracy” (“Zur Theorie der Demokratie”). Answers about the reasons for the on-going since 2020 political crisis which touched on instances of constitutional crisis in Bulgaria are sought in the comparison to the political and philosophical ideas of Karl Popper’s above-mentioned essay which both delineates and explains the problems of democracy on a global scale.

The Position of the Russian Patriarch Kirill Towards the War in Ukraine (In Bulgarian), 2022

This publication focuses on the question of the position of the Russian Orthodox Church in the pe... more This publication focuses on the question of the position of the Russian Orthodox Church in the person of its superior, Patriarch Kirill, towards the Russo-Ukrainian War. The church's relationship with President Vladimir Putin's government is analyzed in the light of Patriarch Kirill's speeches, which do not condemn the military invasion of Ukraine but defend it, which is unacceptable and reprehensible for a spiritual leader.

Sophiological Conception of Fr. Sergei Bulgakov of Virgin Mary (In Bulgarian), 2014

The article examines the topic of religious-philosophical doctrine of Fr. Sergei Bulgakov of the ... more The article examines the topic of religious-philosophical doctrine of Fr. Sergei Bulgakov of the Wisdom of God (Hagia Sophia), and particularly the question of the image of Virgin Mary, which according to the Holy Fathers is symbolic image of the Church. According to the Sophiological Conception of Fr. Bulgakov Our Lady is the claims that Virgin Mary Wisdom is the famine side of God, which is contrary to Church teaching regarding Trinitarian dogma of Christian faith.

Let’s Unite the Right! Painful Utopia or Necessary Reality for Bulgarian Democracy (In Bulgarian), 2022

This publication is an introductory speech “Let’s unite the right!”, delivered at the first Gener... more This publication is an introductory speech “Let’s unite the right!”, delivered at the first General Assembly of the Bulgarian Democracy Movement (Sofia, March 19, 2022). The speech deals with issues related to the socio-economic and political situation in Bulgaria in the second half of 2020 and throughout 2021. During this period, the country is going through a serious political crisis, which has undermined public trust in state institutions. As a result, the existence of democracy has been jeopardized. For this reason, the BDM was established, which aims to initiate the unification of right-wing parties in Bulgaria. The unification of the right-wing parties into a single new Democratic Bloc can be considered a painful utopia, but this is of particular need to protect Bulgarian democracy from the influence of populism. It is against populism in Bulgarian politics that the BDM is fighting, revealing the principles of democracy. In this regard, this publication sets out the goals, tasks and priorities of this civil movement.

The Concept of "Politics-Business-Society", and the Issue of Identifying Civil Rights (In Bulgarian), 2022

This publication is a public lecture at the invitation of the German “Jeder Mensch Foundation”, w... more This publication is a public lecture at the invitation of the German “Jeder Mensch Foundation”, whose main activity is to propose policies to improve the mechanisms for protecting the civil rights of European Union citizens. The concept of “Politics-Business-Society” is the basis of the author's reflections on the topic of civil rights. The need to update civil rights is argued on the basis of the existence of a deep crisis in identity identification after the emergence of the KOVID-19 pandemic. The publication sets out key issues relating to the principles of democracy, the role of Christianity in the cultural rise of Europe, and the challenges aimed at undermining citizens’ confidence in them.

The Pope’s Authority in Orthodox Communities (In Bulgarian), May 2, 2021

This publication focuses on the question of the authority of the Pope in Orthodox communities. Pa... more This publication focuses on the question of the authority of the Pope in Orthodox communities. Particular attention is paid to the visit of Pope John Paul II and Francis to Bulgaria in 2002 and 2019. The negative reactions of the conservative Orthodox Christians and priests of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church are discussed. The research is focused on the idea of the ecumenical thesis between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches, and the generalizations are made on the basis of this thesis.

The Pope’s Visits to Bulgaria: Historical Contexts and Contemporary Aspects (In Bulgarian), 2021

This publication discusses the Pope’s visits of Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis to Bulgaria in... more This publication discusses the Pope’s visits of Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis to Bulgaria in 2002 and 2019. Their visits are analyzed in the context of the historical division of the Eastern and Western Churches after the Great Schism of 1054, and the claim to primacy between the Roman and Constantinople Churches. This research approach of historical retrospection considered the significance of the Pope’s visits to Orthodox countries, and specifically to Bulgaria.