The narration of space: Diaspora church as a comfort zone in the resettlement process for post-communist bulgarians in toronto

Abstract

The chapter examines the Bulgarian and Macedono-Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Churches as a focal point for diasporic gathering of post-communist immigrants who, in spite of their non-religious background, brought resurgence in church life. I explore the transformation of meanings and functions. While the traditional religious institution in their homeland stresses transcendental relations, the diasporic churches include communal relationships within their realm and create responsive mediational space. The chapter describes and discusses the churches architectural elements, interior organization, decoration, and imagery choices. I also discuss how the sacred and secular intersect. Examples of a jazz concert and Christmas Eve (Budni Vecher) service illustrate the confluence of sacred and social/communal zones, the transformation of church space into a symbolic home and thus how a geography of feelings is mapped onto the church hall. Two conclusions emerge from the data: first, the church building is a liminal space between sacred and secular, a place where the religious institution and community meet to negotiate new relations with each other; and second, the traditional faith-nurturing space has evolved into the most socially-important institution that responds to immigrant needs and reinforces social belonging rather than transcendental relationships. For the Macedono-Bulgarian South Slavonic community in the Toronto area the diasporic church becomes a œcomfort zone in the resettlement process in a new multicultural setting, a vehicle for structuring ethnic collectivity and identity formation and a repository of historical consciousness and memory.