To Olympics fans, Bulgaria brings to mind images of dark-haired wrestlers and swarthy weightlifters. Health-food enthusiasts may associate Bulgaria with yogurt and its history. History enthusiasts may remember that Bulgarian intelligence agents were accused of involvement in the 1981 attempt to assassinate Pope John Paul II. Travel and mystery enthusiasts may associate Bulgaria with the famed Orient Express, whose route passed through the country. Most people, however, know very little about Bulgaria. About all they know is that it was once behind the Iron Curtain.
After World War II, this Tennessee-sized country fell under communist domination. Attempting to eliminate Christianity, Bulgaria's new Soviet puppet leaders imposed four decades of heavy-handed oppression. The gospel was maligned. Churches were closed. Christian leaders were harassed. The communists thought they could erase Christianity from the fabric of Bulgarian society. They miscalculated.
Let's imagine the unfolding of Bulgarian cultural history as the weaving of a tapestry. For a long time, it looked like a red communist star would dominate its design. That's no longer true. With time, a new design has begun to emerge. In fact, the Church of the Nazarene has shown up in the Bulgarian tapestry. To weave Nazarenes into it, the Lord is using threads from an assortment of people. Those various strands arrived at the loom through a variety of divinely ordered circumstances.
Actually, tapestry weaving is an ideal metaphor for talking about something Bulgarian. Bulgaria is known for its rugs, tapestries, and needlework. Two museums in the capital city of Sofia feature Bulgarian weaving and needlework. Admittedly, the first thing many tourists buy is a little wooden doll containing a rose oil container. However, let those tourists wander through the outdoor markets and into gift shops. What often holds their attention longest is the brilliantly colored embroidery and other needlework.
In this book, we'll look at a particular Bulgarian tapestry. It's a tapestry in which many threads involve the Church of the Nazarene. Some of those threads go a long way back. So, we'll need to jump around a bit in time. Several threads say, "Made in the USA." However, some come from Germany and Mexico. There's even a knotted thread that was once broken. So, come with me to the loom and see how the weaving is progressing. . . . [Continue reading]
Dedicated to members of the first three teams of volunteers who served in Bulgaria:
It is a shame that we cannot devote an entire book to the adventures of each one!
| The sports evangelism strands in this tapestry go back to the 1960s. . . . [More] |
— Howard Culbertson, hculbert@snu.edu
Bulgarian tapestries, with their elaborate designs and radiant colors, stand as evidence of the rich cultural heritage of Bulgaria. Dating back centuries, these tapestries blend elements of traditional Bulgarian folk art with influences from Byzantine, Ottoman, and Slavic cultures. Crafted with careful attention to detail, they often feature motifs inspired by nature, folklore, and religious symbolism. Skilled artisans use techniques passed down through generations to enhance the beauty of both wool and silk threads. Whether adorning the walls of homes, churches, or museums, Bulgarian tapestries serve as decorative pieces and as windows into the country's history and artistic prowess.
