How did Christianity strengthen Bulgaria’s central government under Boris I?

Under Boris I, the adoption of Christianity served as a vital instrument for consolidating central authority and unifying the diverse Bulgar and Slavic populations into a single ethnic community.12

The conversion strengthened the government in several key ways:

• Political Legitimacy: Boris adopted Byzantine political concepts, styling himself as a ruler "by the grace of God." This provided a divine justification for his authority and allowed him to suppress boyars of Bulgar origin who resisted his rule by clinging to pagan traditions.1
• Unified Identity: By establishing a common, compulsory religion, Boris bridged the ethnic and linguistic divides between the Slavic majority and the Bulgar minority, fostering a cohesive national identity.12
• Administrative Control: The church became an institutional pillar of the state. Boris utilized the Old Church Slavonic liturgy and the work of scholars like Saints Cyril and Methodius to replace Greek in church and literary life, further cementing a distinct Bulgarian cultural and political character.12
• Suppression of Dissent: When his son Vladimir attempted to restore paganism, Boris successfully led a coup to depose him, using the state's commitment to Christianity to reassert control and secure the throne for his other son, Simeon I.12