PROTESTANT MISSIONARIES IN NINETEENTH-CENTURY ESKI ZAĞRA (Stara Zagora)
Etudes balkaniques (Sofia) 2022 N 2
Elmira VASSILEVA
Institute of Balkan Studies & Centre of Thracology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria
Abstract: Protestant religious mission in nineteenth-century Eski Zağra was carried out by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, whose station in the town functioned between 1859 and 1877. The mission objective was spiritual reformation of the Bulgarians and the means used by the missionaries in the town included, together with preaching, educational and publication activities. Very important initiative was the organization of a girls’ school, which generated some interest among town people. But most of the missionaries’ efforts met opposition or at least indifference. Although the Americans did not achieve any considerable religious success, they had some wider cultural influence in nineteenth-century Eski Zağra.
Keywords: Protestant missionaries, ABCFM, Bulgarians, Eski Zağra
PROTESTANTS IN A BALKAN TOWN: THE ACTIVITIES OF THE AMERICAN MISSIONARIES AMONG THE BULGARIANS IN BITOLA (19th – EARLY 20th CENTURY)
Etudes balkaniques (Sofia) 2020 N 3
Elmira VASSILEVA
Institute of Balkan Studies & Centre of Thracology, (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences), Bulgaria
Abstract: The most influential Protestant society which operated in the Ottoman Empire was the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. Its mission station in Monastir (Bitola) was active from 1873 to 1920. There were several aspects of the Protestant activities in the town: evangelistic, educational, literary, medical and relief work. The mission was oriented predominantly towards the Bulgarian population. In addition, the Americans attempted to widen their missionary field, the Albanians being the most responsive. The greatest achievements of the Protestant Mission in Bitola were the establishment of the American Girls’ Boarding School and the Bulgarian Evangelical Church.
Keywords: American Protestant Мissionaries, Bulgarians, Monastir (Bitola)
THE ACTIVITIES OF THE FRANCISCAN ORDER IN THE OTTOMAN TERRITORIES (17th CENTURY): MISSIONARY APPROACHES
Etudes balkaniques (Sofia) 2017 N 3
Elmira VASSILEVA
Institute of Balkan Studies & Centre of Thracology, (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences), Bulgaria
Abstract: The paper studies the missionary strategies of the Observant Franciscans in the European part of the Ottoman Empire and those of the friars from Bosna Argentina Province in particular. The Bosnian Franciscan mission in the Bulgarian lands and the evangelization endeavors of the Bosnian and Bulgarian friars among the so-called Paulicians is in the focus of the research. A brief account of the missionaries’ relations with the Orthodox and Muslim population is also given. These issues are situated in the context of both the Franciscan Order’s missionary traditions and the implementation of the Catholic reforms in the Early Modern Period.
Keywords: Franciscan Order, Missions, European Ottoman Provinces, Bulgarian Catholics, Paulicians