Three Metropolitans of the Church of Greece called on people to participate in Macedonia protest rally on January 20 in Syntagma Square.
By Emilios Polygenis
Metropolitan Theologos of Serres and Nigrita, Metropolitan Makarios of Sidirokastro and Metropolitan Ierotheos of Zichni and Nevrokopi issued a call through a circular note.
As they point out, the Church is obliged to express the concerns of its flock that is interested in the national affairs and the peaceful coexistence of the Balkan people.
They underlined that the Orthodox Church has the right to express its opinion regarding Macedonia naming dispute, “for which many clergymen have shed their blood.” Moreover, it is national duty for the Macedonian people to keep on fighting like clergymen and laypeople who struggled for the same cause.
They also invoke the 2004 letter of the late Christodoulos, Archbishop of Athens, to the European leaders, in which, among other things, he stated that the establishment of the name “Macedonia” for the new state of Skopje, does not only annul every historical truth, but also encourages the process of “Macedonization” by the historical revisionists of Skopje.
The three hierarchs underline in their circular note that they extend the hand of friendship to the people of Skopje, but they clarify that they won’t compromise Macedonia’s name and history “in order to serve agendas and ambitions that will destabilize the sensitive Balkan area, in the medium term.”
In conclusion, they encourage people to participate massively and peacefully in the protest rally on January 20 in Syntagma Square, further stating that all three metropolitans will be dynamically present.
