Premier of Skopje: A dynamic dialogue on our Church with Phanar initiated

Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia Oliver Spasovski. Photo: romfea.gr

On January 14, 2020, Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia Oliver Spasovski, at a press conference in Istanbul commented on the outcome of the meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, reports the Greek resource Romfea.

“I hope that the Ecumenical Patriarch will continue, in the spirit of tolerance and understanding, to promote dialogue in order to find solutions to the problems facing Orthodox believers, the Prime Minister said.

Reportedly, he noted that he was “very pleased” after the meeting with the Head of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, hoped for continued mutual communication, and that “within the framework of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, a dynamic dialogue would be launched in order to overcome the problems of the Macedonian Orthodox Church.”

Spasovski stressed that "the meeting was initiated by the government last year and aimed at establishing a dynamic direct connection with the Patriarchate of Constantinople."

The head of government of Northern Macedonia stated that the negotiations with Patriarch Bartholomew were “long and pleasant” and invited him to visit his country. According to him, the visit of Patriarch Bartholomew will be a "great honor" for the Macedonian Orthodox Church.

Recall, on January 13, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople received the Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia Oliver Spasovski, his predecessor and assistants to discuss church-related issues in Northern Macedonia.

According to the Macedonian media, Patriarch Bartholomew intends to resolve the issue of autocephaly of the Macedonian Church, which is not recognized in Orthodoxy. Reporters noted: Phanar officially confirmed that he did not give up his desire to resolve the issue of autocephaly of the unrecognized Macedonian Orthodox Church "despite the opposition of the Serbian and Russian Orthodox Churches."

In July 2019, the Prime Minister of Macedonia announced that the Macedonian government was already negotiating with Patriarch Bartholomew to receive autocephaly and he was ready to “make a cash donation” to the Head of Phanar to get the Tomos for the Macedonian Church.

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