Slavic Messianism in Bulgaria: The White Brotherhood and the Question of National Identity (1920-1944)

This paper considers the adoption and modification of Western esoteric discourses in the context of a Southeast European alternative religious movement, Petar Danov's White Brotherhood. The analysis focuses on the views the Bulgarian master and his followers espoused during the interwar period...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal for the study of new religions
Main Author: Heinzel, Thomas (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: equinox 2011
In: International journal for the study of new religions
Further subjects:B Theosophy
B Esotericism
B Messianism
B Slavdom
B Bogomils
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Summary:This paper considers the adoption and modification of Western esoteric discourses in the context of a Southeast European alternative religious movement, Petar Danov's White Brotherhood. The analysis focuses on the views the Bulgarian master and his followers espoused during the interwar period and the Second World War regarding their country's national identity and history. Based on the macro-historical conception of Theosophy, the White Brothers believed in Slavdom's, and especially Bulgaria's, messianic calling to unite mankind in order to prepare for the emergence of a new human race. The goal of this paper is not only to outline these messianic ideas but also to shed light on their historico-cultural context and on influences that possibly contributed to their formulation.
ISSN:2041-952X
Contains:Enthalten in: International journal for the study of new religions
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1558/ijsnr.v2i1.55