UOJ Interviews Author of Turkish Book on Orthodoxy

ISTANBUL — Radoslav Bazarov is a Bulgarian Orthodox researcher. He is the author of a new book called On Eastern Orthodoxy, which was written and published in Turkish. The purpose of this work is to clarify and correct many misconceptions that exist in Turkey regarding Orthodoxy and Turkey’s Christian minority. Recently, Mr. Bazarov had the opportunity to present a copy to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. He graciously agreed to an interview with the Union of Orthodox Journalists.

Tell us about yourself. What is your background—as an Orthodox Christian, a writer, a theologian?

I was born in Ruse, Bulgaria, into a clerical family. I completed my Master’s degree in Orthodox Theology at St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo. For many years I have been visiting Orthodox clergy and metropolitans in various countries such as Serbia, Romania, Moldova, and Greece. I also frequently visit monasteries, striving to study monastic life more closely.

How did you develop this interest in the Turkish church, and Turkey in general?

Christianity was born in the lands of present-day Turkey. The Council of Nicaea and many of the churches mentioned in the New Testament belong to this geography, which is deeply valuable for us. However, there is a great deal of misinformation and prejudice surrounding this heritage. To help clear these misconceptions, I wrote a book in Turkish that explains the foundations of Orthodoxy in simple terms, so that everyone can understand our values and our faith.

What is your process? How long did it take you to write this? What sources did you use?

The writing process took me about seven to eight months. I relied on sources in Bulgarian, Russian, Serbian, and Greek.

What has the reception been like among Turkish Christians? What about Turkish Muslims?

In Turkey, I was warmly received, especially by the Greek Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox communities. I have also received positive feedback from Turkish Muslims, who often tell me that they discovered the misconceptions they had previously taken for truth.

What has the reception been like in the wider Orthodox world?

Through social media, I have received encouraging responses from different parts of the Orthodox world, including Romania, Georgia, and Serbia.

How did you come to meet His All-Holiness Bartholomew? What was that experience like?

Since the book was written in Turkish and published in Turkey, I felt that the very first person I should visit and present it to was, without a doubt, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Through the Patriarchate, we arranged a meeting, during which I was received with remarkable warmth. His words of support greatly honored me and gave me spiritual strength.

Radoslav, thank you for your time.