Christian symbols to feature on Bulgaria’s euro coins

Bulgaria's euro coinage will depict two Bulgarian Orthodox saints as well as a 7th or 8th century rock relief dating found in the country's northeast, its central bank announced on Monday.

Pending admission to the eurozone, the 2 euro coin will feature Saint Paisius of Hilendar (1722-1773), a Bulgarian clergyman and key figure in the Bulgarian National Revival who opposed the Hellenization policies of the mainly Greek Orthodox clergy. The coin contains the inscription "God save Bulgaria" on the edge.

Saint John of Rila (876-c. 946), the first Bulgarian hermit who lends his name to Bulgaria's most famous monastery, Rila, will appear on the 1 euro coin. The saint is featured with a halo with eleven dots.

The remaining small denomination coinage will show the Madara Rider, a large early medieval rock relief carved on the Madara Plateau in northeastern Bulgaria....