Bulgaria is a Slavic country that was settled by Bulgars in the Middle Ages. Historically, Jews have been there since Roman times. In 1339, Bulgarian King Johann Alexander married a Jewess, Sarah, who was known as Queen Theodora. A century later, in 1492, Spain expelled all Jews; some went to Bulgaria. Hence, Bulgaria's Jews are Sephardic, meaning Spanish Jews. As Sephardim, Bulgarian Jews may speak Ladino as well as Bulgarian. Most Bulgarian Jews are elderly. In 1997, the Jewish community sought to revitalize Judaism through education and the introduction of Hebrew into public schools as a foreign language. However, there are still only two synagogues.
Revitalization of Jewish communities may prove to be either an obstacle or a bridge of God for Bulgarian Jews. If the gospel is viewed as a threat to their “Jewishness,” it will be an obstacle. Traditional evangelism is usually viewed this way by Jewish populations.
Christ followers can present Jesus to the Bulgarian Jews using Jewish cultural forms.
"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7
May members of this people group be broken, and willing to repent and follow the Lord.
Pray that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church would become mission-minded and experience a Holy Spirit revitalization. May they actively seek the salvation of Bulgarian Jews. Pray that Messianic Jews would seek out and witness to Bulgarian Jews.
People Name: | Bulgarian Jewish |
Pronunciation: | bul-GARE-ee-un joo |
Country: | Bulgaria |
10/40 Window: | No |
Population: | 1,200 |
World Population: | 1,200 |
Language: | Bulgarian |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Christian Adherent: | 0.50% |
Evangelical: | 0.10% |
Bible: | Complete |
Online Audio NT: | Yes |
Jesus Film: | Yes |
Audio Recordings: | Yes |
Status: | Unreached |
Progress Level: |