GOD'S MIRACLES IN THE NARRATIVES OF ONE PROTESTANT ROMANI SOCIETY IN SOFIA (e-paper)

Yana Moroz
Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”

 

The article presents my observations of the Protestant (Pentecostal) community of the Ognena church in Hristo Botev district in Sofia, Bulgaria. The inhabitants are of predominantly Romani descent. The
article explores the specific representation of God and miracles in the narratives of the Ognena church members. Many of them see themselves as recipients of different ‘gifts’, for example healing,
prophecy, speaking heavenly languages and others. These miracles serve an important social function as well as a religious one, because of the synergy between the church and community. The author looks at specific characteristics of the members’ experience and perception of God from an anthropological point of view. The methodology includes interviews with the church members, where they talk about their experience and share their interpretation of God’s miracles.