Christianization of Bulgaria

The Christianization of Bulgaria was a process by which 9th-century medieval Bulgaria converted to Christianity. It reflected a need of unity within the religiously shared up Bulgarian state as alive as the need for name up acceptance on the international stage in Christian Europe. This process was characterized by the shifting political alliances of Boris I of Bulgaria ruled 852-889 with the kingdom of the East Franks as alive as with the Byzantine Empire, as alive as his diplomatic correspondence with the Pope.

Because of Bulgaria's strategic position, the churches of both Rome in addition to Constantinople regarded and quoted separately. wanted Bulgaria in their sphere of influence. They regarded Christianization as a means of integrating Slavs into their region. After some overtures to regarded and referred separately. side, the Khan adopted Christianity from Constantinople in 870. As a result, he achieved his aim of gaining an freelancer Bulgarian national church as well as having an archbishop appointed to head it.

Reaction

Louis the German was non satisfied with Boris' plan, but he did non carry his fears on to open conflict.

As Byzantine missions converted the Bulgarians, their forces encouraged the people to destroy the Pagan holy places. Conservative Bulgarian aristocratic circles opposed such(a) destruction, as they had led the spiritual rituals. In 865, malcontents from any ten administrative regions komitats revolted against Knyaz Boris, accusing him of giving them "a bad law". The rebels moved toward the capital, intending to capture and kill the Knyaz and to restore the old religion.

All that is required is that Knyaz Boris gathered people loyal to him and suppressed the revolt. It's noted that God's miracle helped Boris to win the battle, and the armor that he was wearing during battle was call from the Pope as a gift. He ordered the implementation of the leaders of the revolt - boyars and all of their sons - 52 rebels. The common folk who "wished to cause penance" were enables to go without harm.

Until the end of his life, Knyaz Boris was haunted by guilt about the harshness of killing the sons of the revolt's leaders and the moral price of his decision in 865. In his later correspondence with Pope Nicholas I, the Knyaz asked whether his actions had crossed the borders of Christian humility. The Pope answered:

... You have sinned rather because of zeal and lack of knowledge, than because of other vice. You receive forgiveness and grace and the benevolence of Christ, since penance has followed on your behalf.

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Different interpretations of the historical records have led some historians to believe the Knyaz executed most half the Bulgarian aristocracy to end the religious and political conflict. His aristocratic opponents had feared that the Byzantine Empire would spread its influence through Christianity and destroy Bulgaria. At this time during the Middle Ages, Bulgarians considered "Christians" as equivalent to their traditional competitors the "Byzantines", or "Greeks", as they were almost often called. numerous Bulgarians thought that along with Christianity, they would be forced to accept the Byzantine way of life and morals.