Pomak in Greece


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The name Pomak means, "people who have suffered." The Pomaks are a Slavic people who live in the Balkan region of southern Europe. Some consider them to be a subgroup of the Bulgarians since they speak a Bulgarian dialect, have Bulgarian physical features, and have cultural practices like the Bulgarians. They are distinguished, however, by their non-Bulgarian names and their devotion to Islam rather than to Orthodox Christianity.
Though most live in Bulgaria, they also have a community in Greece, especially in Pomakochoria.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Greece’s Pomak community faces an identity crisis. They often speak three languages, and they are lumped in with other Muslim groups such as the Turks.
In Greece, the Pomak economy is based on agriculture. Raising animals such as cows, goats and sheep is also very important. Many Pomaks also earn their income as migrant workers. Pomak women are renowned for their excellent weaving abilities.
In Greece, the Pomaks are often mistaken for Bulgarians because of their language. Others lump them in with other Muslim communities. Unlike most Muslims, the Pomaks have no qualms about drinking alcohol.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Pomaks in Greece are virtually all Muslim, and their religion makes up an integral part of their ethnic identity. They are guarded against other spiritual input.


What Are Their Needs?

All kinds of Christian materials, including a complete Bible, are in Bulgarian. The JESUS Film and the Magdalena film can allow Jesus to speak for himself. First, someone needs to distribute them in Pomak communities.


Prayer Points

Pray the hearts of the Pomak people in Greece would be stirred to hunger after God.
Pray that family-based movement to Christ will soon transform Pomak society, blessing them spiritually and economically.


Scripture Prayers for the Pomak in Greece.


References

https://greekreporter.com/2022/05/15/forgotten-greece-pomakochoria/


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Pomak
People Name in Country Pomak
Pronunciation PUM-ok
Alternate Names Bulgar
Population this Country 30,000
Population all Countries 496,000
Total Countries 5
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 14436
ROP3 Code 108104
Country Greece
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Macedonia and Thrace administrative unit: 3 departments, including Xanthi.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Greece
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Macedonia and Thrace administrative unit: 3 departments, including Xanthi..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Pomak in Greece

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.40 %)
2.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
98.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Bulgarian (30,000 speakers)
Language Code bul   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Pomak
Dialect Code 8445   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bulgarian (30,000 speakers)
Language Code bul   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Pomak
Dialect Code 8445   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Bulgarian

Primary Language:  Bulgarian

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1823-1995)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1840-2000)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1864-2017)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bulgarian Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Bulgarian YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Bulgarian YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible Gateway scripture Bible Gateway
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Bulgarian Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Jeffrey Haglund 
Map Source People Group location: BWPC. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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