Did Prime Minister of Macedonia come to Phanar to address autocephaly?

Oliver Spasovski, Patriarch Bartholomew and Zoran Zaev. Photo: romfea.gr

On January 13, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople received the Prime Minister of North Macedonia Mr Oliver Spasovski, his predecessor Mr Zoran Zaev and their associates Mr Dane Talevski and Mr Dejan Sotirovski, reports the website Romfea.gr.

Those present discussed the ecclesiastical problems of North Macedonia. The reason for the discussion was the desire to resume the Archbishopric of Ohrid on the basis of the schismatic Macedonian Orthodox Church following the timely appeal to the Mother Church.

To this end, the Phanar’s head, along with politicians, decided to invite representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church to the residence of the Patriarch of Constantinople for consultations and attempts to find a mutually acceptable solution.

According to the resource, "the atmosphere of the negotiations was warm and sincere". The Prime Minister and his associates expressed their respect and confidence in the Mother Church.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote about the willingness of the Prime Minister of Macedonia to pay Patriarch Bartholomew for the Tomos of the Macedonian Church, which is not recognized in the Orthodox world.

Back in July 2019, the Prime Minister announced that the Macedonian government was already working with Patriarch Bartholomew on the issue of receiving autocephaly, and he was ready to "make a cash donation" to the Ecumenical Patriarch for the Tomos of the Macedonian Church.
 

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