Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev met with Patriarch Daniil of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and members of the Holy Synod to discuss cooperation between the state and the Church, with a focus on spiritual and moral education, religious instruction in schools, and support for Bulgarian communities abroad.

During the meeting, the prime minister emphasized the shared responsibility of the state and the Church in strengthening the nation's moral and spiritual foundations.

"The Bulgarian state and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church share a common mission of promoting the spiritual renewal of our people," Radev said. He noted that throughout Bulgaria's history, the Church has served as a guardian of the country's national identity, culture, history, and traditions, adding that its role is particularly significant amid today's moral challenges.

One of the key topics of discussion was the planned introduction of a new school subject, **"Virtues and Religions,"** into the national curriculum. The participants reviewed teacher training requirements and the development of educational materials for the course.

Patriarch Daniil said that schools already offering the subject as an elective have reported encouraging results. Members of the Holy Synod also shared their experience teaching the **"Religion – Orthodoxy"** course in dioceses across the country.

The meeting also addressed cooperation between government institutions and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in preserving cultural and spiritual ties with Bulgarian communities living abroad.

During the talks, Patriarch Daniil congratulated Rumen Radev on his election victory and expressed hope that his service as prime minister would benefit the Bulgarian people. As a symbolic gesture, the Patriarch presented the prime minister with an icon of Christ the Savior, wishing him God's guidance and strength in his public service. The two sides concluded the meeting by exchanging commemorative gifts.