Your work has not disappeared over the centuries, your word still lives among us today, your prayer still strengthens us, and your sacrifice continues to bear new fruits. Saints Cyril and Methodius are not only greats of the past, but they are the living foundation of our history and our entire being, notedThe head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric His Holiness Stefan at the prayer service in honor of Saint Cyril.
In his speech at the tomb of St. Cyril in the Basilica of San Clemente in Rome on Saturday, the head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric noted that the creation of the word and the translation of the liturgical books represented an activity of spiritual birth of the entire Macedonian and Slavic race.
As HH Stefan said, today we are also called to emulate their missionary work.
“In this turbulent time, in which divisions, uncertainty and spiritual emptiness reign, their example calls us to return to the Gospel again,” added the Archbishop, who officiated at the prayer service together with the Metropolitans of the European and Debar-Kichevo Diocese Pimen and Georgij, and priests from the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric.
Parliament SpeakerAfrimGashi, who leads the state-church delegation in Italy, visited the papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore Sunday afternoon, also paid homage to the tomb of St. Cyril. The Parliament Speaker laid a wreath at the memorial plaque written in Macedonian.
The delegation in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore also visited the tomb of Pope Francis, who died last year.
The state delegation marking the Day of the Pan-Slavic Educators on May 24 includes Minister of Culture and Tourism ZoranLjutkov, who said in a statement to the media that the celebration was not only a diplomatic and statesmanlike act, but also a deeply spiritual and civilizational event, which was a strong reminder of the values on which Slavic culture, education and literacy are based. The “Macedonia in Honor of St. Cyril”event will be rounded off Mondaywith a concert by the ensemble Consonance, which, Ljutkov says, is an opportunity to present Macedonian culture with dignity to the international public.
