Christian symbols could feature prominently on one- and two-euro coins that would enter circulation after Bulgaria joins the euro zone, Euractiv reported.
Bulgaria’s Central Bank presented on 12 February a nationally agreed design for Bulgarian euro coins to be issued after the country adopts the single currency. If Bulgaria meets the necessary criteria, this could happen as early as 1 January 2025.
Euro zone countries are allowed to mint coins with their symbols on the national side, but the design must be accepted by the rest of the euro zone and the European Commission.
The Central Bank stated that it had sent a proposed design for Bulgarian coins to the Commission and Member States on 18 January. The proposed one-euro design depicts Saint Ivan Rilski, the first Bulgarian hermit. The saint is depicted with a halo of eleven dots, somewhat reminiscent of the 12 stars on the EU flag. The proposed two euro coin design includes the inscription “God save Bulgaria” on its edge.
There is no consensus on Christian values and symbols in the EU. The European People’s Party (EPP), in particular the Christian Democrats, insist that Christian democracy means creating policies in line with Christian values. The Socialists and Greens, on the contrary, insist that a secular approach should prevail.
An attempt to mention Europe’s Christian roots in the EU constitution failed back in 2004, as did the whole project, which was rejected after referendums in France and the Netherlands in 2005.
