Between East and West: The Christian choice of medieval Bulgaria

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to outline the problematic points that exist in studies of the process of adoption of Christianity by Bulgaria, based on historical sources and scientific literature, including the works of Bulgarian Catholic scientists. The following methods of historical research were used: general scientific (analytical, logical), historical (chronological, historical-comparative), source studies - heuristic, critical. The involvement of some Catholic sources, in particular, the sources of the Banat Bulgarians, outlines the scientific novelty of the study. Results: the process of Christianization of Bulgaria is reflected and the great influence of the Roman Church both on the decision of the Bulgarian authorities to accept Christianity and on the very course of events surrounding this process is shown. The role of the ruler of Bulgaria Boris I is highlighted, whose figure, as a leading figure in the Christianization of Bulgaria, is over time forgotten in Bulgarian sources and replaced by other names. The author's point of view on how this could happen is presented. Conclusions. The Christian religion has been known in the Bulgarian lands since ancient times, but only Prince (Tsar) Boris I managed to Christianize the country in 864-866. He appealed to both Rome and Constantinople, and the latter's more moderate position on the issue of the status of the church organization tipped the scales in his favour. Bulgaria adopted the Eastern version of Christianity, but in the Slavic Cyril-Methodius rite, which recognized the primacy of the Pope. The question why the name of Boris I was forgotten until the middle of the 19th century has not been resolved. even in Bulgaria. To find an answer to this question, it is suggested to pay more attention to the Latin historical sources, because it seems that they deserve more trust in this issue than the Greek ones.