Bulgarian monk blames his country's lack of faith on communist rule

In his new book, a Bulgarian monk, Visarion, asserts Bulgaria's popular interest in mysticism and occultism is a consequence of atheist communist rule for decades. According to a recent poll, 30 percent of Bulgarians have turned to alternative medicine. And, 37 percent of Bulgarians polled had no opinion of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Visarion also characterized the White Brotherhood Movement in Bulgaria as occult. The movement reportedly focuses upon the idea of unity of man in nature.

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