Ethnointegrating function of the church in the process of formation of the Bulgarian state (the last quarter of the 19th century)

The article is devoted to the consideration of the ethno-integrating function of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (Exarchate) in the last quarter of the 19th century, which is positioned by the author as the most important factor contributing to the gathering of lands inhabited by Bulgarians into a single state. The article emphasizes the close relationship between the process of creating a national church institution and the process of state formation among the Bulgarians, and identifies the characteristic features of the ethno-integrating function of the Bulgarian Church in the period under review: the relationship with other functions of the church (identifying, educational and educational functions); the incorporation of the church into the political space of the state against the backdrop of limited secularization; the high relevance of the ethno-integrating function of the church at the domestic and foreign policy level; the Russophile nature of the activities of the Bulgarian church as a whole, including in terms of the implementation of the ethno-integrating function. Considering the role of the church as a foreign policy lever of princely policy at the level of implementing the ethno-integrating function, the author in conclusion points out that the activities of the Exarchate were fully consistent with the Christian spirit and were deeply peacemaking and educational in nature both within the state and outside its borders.