BELIEVE IN IT, OR NOT

Many of them also see it as an antidote to unholy Western influence such as LGBTQ, Halloween and so on. Orthodox traditions and rites have been incorporated solidly in the nation's secular life. Black-clad priests are present at almost all official occasions – from the consecration of public buildings to the blessing of someone's new office and even car. Senior state officials vie to be televised while kissing the hand of some cleric. And the incumbent head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the patriarch, is actively promoting his agenda of maintaining fraternal relations with other predominantly Orthodox nations – read Russia – because we are "brothers" in faith if not in current political alliance.

True believers in the canon many Bulgarians do claim to be, but they cannot help but resort to some not-so-Orthodox practices in their daily life. According to a recent research by polling agency Trend, as many as 38 percent of the Bulgarians have gone to a seer at least once. 14 percent have consulted an astrologist  and 11 percent have interacted with a clairvoyant. 65 percent believe in karma, 56 percent trust an evil spell exists, it can be cast, and relatives of theirs have already had one on them. 58 percent believe in the supernatural while 38 percent trust reincarnation does exist. As many as 47 percent accept there are various conspiracies ruling both Bulgaria and the world.

So far, anathema and excommunication have not been used in modern Bulgaria.