Archbishop Stefan of Ohrid and Macedonia has called on believers to view Christmas not only as a religious celebration, but as a reminder of personal responsibility for peace, love and solidarity in society.

In a Christmas interview with the newspaper Nova Makedonija, the head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church said that the true meaning of the Nativity of Christ goes beyond church services and rituals. According to him, Christmas is a call for every individual to contribute to healing divisions and building peace.

Archbishop Stefan emphasized that Christianity does not encourage confrontation, but reconciliation. He said that wars and conflicts are especially painful when they occur between Orthodox nations. “Where the world sees enemies, a Christian is called to see suffering brothers,” he said, stressing that the Christmas message is rooted in peace and goodwill.

Speaking about the role of the Church in the modern world, Archbishop Stefan noted that Holy Scripture remains relevant even in the age of the internet, advanced technologies and artificial intelligence. While acknowledging that technology can make life easier, he said it cannot give life meaning. Artificial intelligence, he added, is neither inherently good nor evil — its moral value depends on how and for what purpose it is used.

The archbishop also addressed the topic of youth, saying that the Macedonian Orthodox Church is seeing a growing number of young people among its congregations. He linked this trend to a search for stable values amid what he described as an era of “post-truth” and growing disappointment with relativism. Increasingly, he said, the Church is becoming a place where young people seek meaning and inner support.

“The Church can respond to the spiritual needs of today’s youth by remaining faithful to the Gospel,” Archbishop Stefan said. “Our time is a time of post-truth, and many young people are no longer satisfied with the relativism imposed by the world. If in the past people said that only ‘grandmothers’ attended Sunday services, today the situation is completely different.”

According to him, churches — particularly in the Skopje Diocese, but also across Macedonia and within the Macedonian diaspora worldwide — are now filled with young people searching for a lasting meaning in life. “They are seeking a meaning that endures forever, and thanks be to God, they increasingly find it where it is most abundant — in the Church,” he said.

Looking to the future of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Stefan expressed confidence that regardless of external circumstances, it will continue to follow the Holy Gospel, showing love for God and humanity, and offering sincere support to the most vulnerable members of society.