Bulgarian Orthodox Church Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for Saving 48,000 Bulgarian Jews in World War II



Sofia, January 19 (BTA) - The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for saving 48,000 Bulgarian Jews from the Nazi death camps in World War II, a press release published on the site of the church said Thursday.



The nomination was officially submitted to the Nobel Committee in the beginning of January on the initiative of IsraelТs former Health Minister and MP, Gen. Efraim Sneh, Haifa University law professor Moshe Keshet (name may be misspelt) and attorney Moshe Aloni, supported with the signatures of over 200 descendants of saved Bulgarian Jews.



In itself, this nomination is an acknowledgement of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church which has always abided by high Christian ideals and has shown love for the brother, regardless of how difficult the circumstances and times are. "In love there can be no fear, but fear is driven out by perfect love" (1 Jn 4:18), the press release says.



"During World War II, some people risked their lives and heroically saved Bulgarian Jews from sure death and persecution, but the Bulgarian orthodox Church was the only religious institution on a territory controlled by Hitler to openly and officially declare its position," the press release says. With their determination and consistent adherence to evangelical moral ideals, the Church, headed by Exarch Stephen and the Holy Synod, played a leading role in the salvation of Bulgarian Jews.



The prize-winner will be announced in October. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov commented that even if the peace prize was not given to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the nomination campaign would make the good deed of the Bulgarian people better known. This is the second time that the Church has been nominated for a Nobel Prize following an earlier initiative in 2013, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the salvation of Bulgarian Jews on the initiative of PACE honorary member Luchezar Toshev.



What should be noted in the present nomination is that it comes from the Israeli side and with the powerful support of the Bulgarian community in Israel, the press release points out.

Source: Sofia