Diversity

Justin put on his very first kippa today. Yes, to all of you Messianics who will be astounded at this, he has never before worn one. He has always felt it is not his place to wear one knowing he is not ethnically Jewish. But he has also never stepped into a regular Jewish synagogue either. Today in Sofia, in the second largest synagogue in all of Europe he put one on out of respect for Jewish customs, just the same as he removes his hat in all the Orthodox and Catholic churches.

I almost cried walking into the sanctuary. I don't know why. But a deep emotion hit me. Was it the history, the beauty, or something else in that place? There used to be 50,000 Jews in Bulgaria before WWII. Hitler asked for deportation. But King Boris, a national hero, was able to save all 50,000 according to our tour guide. The good king "procrastinated" and kept giving excuses for not deporting them. 8 days after the king and Hitler met one another the king died of a sudden heart attack according to records. Most Bulgarians believe he was poisoned by Hitler's army. After the war came communism which tried to wipe out all religion. During that time most of the Jews immigrated to Israel and there are now only 5,000 left.

Within a two block radius in the heart of Sofia are 4 major centers of worship all in a square. 1 Jewish synogague, 1 Islamic mosque, 1 Orthodox church, and 1 Catholic church, all very large churches and a couple other smaller rotundas and other church buildings. It is a picture of diversity in real practice. The amazing thing is that there is not a lot of religious trouble in Bulgaria.

Entrance of Saint George Rotunda

Practicing his new reading skills.

Backside of the Sofia Synagogue

Front side of Sofia Synagogue, inside the gate.

Sanctuary of the synagogue.

Ark covering with banners of the 12 tribes. The entire synagogue was detailed with symbols.

Sofia Ladies' Market. I bought myself some wonderful Bulgarian made wool slippers.