A discussion entitled Media and Spiritual Leaders was held at the building of the Bulgarian Republican Self-Government in Budapest on Tuesday. The event was part of the second day of the 21st World Meeting of Bulgarian Media, held on October 19 and 20 in Budapest and Esztergom, Hungary, and organized by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).
Moderated by Bulgarian National Television journalist Georgi Milkov, the panel brought together Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe, Evgeni Veselinov, editor-in-chief of the US-based BulgariCA website, literary scholar and critic Yordan Eftimov, and Svetla Chalakova, editor-in-chief of Vatican Radio’s Bulgarian section.
Milkov opened by highlighting the legacy of St. John of Rila, Bulgaria’s spiritual patron, noting that 2026 marks 1,150 years since his birth and 1,080 years since his death. He also recalled the role of faith in building the Bulgarian community in Hungary and introduced the question of how faith and spiritual guidance continue to shape society by referring to historical spiritual leaders, including Archimandrite Methodius Kusev.
Metropolitan Anthony outlined three key responsibilities of spiritual leaders, namely administering the Church’s sacraments, teaching the faith through personal example, and upholding enduring moral values. He emphasized the importance of the Ten Commandments as a foundation for moral guidance across the major monotheistic religions and described spiritual leadership as a responsibility rooted in the continuity of the Church’s apostolic tradition.
Chalakova stressed that journalists covering religion need to understand its spiritual context while maintaining accuracy, critical thinking and respect for different beliefs. Citing Pope Leo XIV, she called for truth-seeking rooted in love and communication free from prejudice, hostility and hatred. Drawing on her 17 years at Vatican Radio, she emphasized journalism’s responsibility to make differences understandable and build bridges between people.
Eftimov explored the changing role of intellectuals in the age of the internet and social media, as he described intellectuals as figures who combine engagement with contemporary issues and the ability to maintain critical distance. He also discussed the relationship between religion and modern communication technologies, citing Carlo Acutis and St. Isidore of Seville.
Veselinov emphasized the unifying role of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church among Bulgarian communities abroad. He drew parallels between St. John of Rila and St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco and noted that the two figures connect the Eastern and the Western World. Veselinov stressed that faith can connect communities across geographical and cultural divides, as he expressed the view that interest in Orthodoxy among Americans would continue to grow.
Georgi Lozanov, editor-in-chief of BTA’s LIK magazine, presented its Hungarian-language issue dedicated to St. John of Rila. He said the publication sought to bring together two perspectives that can be difficult to reconcile: journalism and religion. Reflecting on the saint’s legacy, Lozanov suggested that earthly happiness and spiritual fulfillment need not be seen as opposing goals.
The discussion highlighted the shared responsibility of spiritual leaders, journalists and intellectuals to preserve values, foster understanding and unite communities across borders.
BTA is organizing the 21st World Meeting of Bulgarian Media in Hungary with the support of DSK Bank, OTP Group, Aurubis Bulgaria, A1, SOF Connect – the operator of Vasil Levski Sofia Airport, Geotechmin, Postbank and the 13 Centuries Bulgaria National Endowment Fund. The forum is expected to bring together participants from 25 countries, both in person and online.
Faith, Journalism in Focus at World Meeting of Bulgarian Media THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-10-20 14:30:34
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