The first liturgy in the Macedonian language at the Temple of the Prophet Elijah in the Serbian city of Yabuka. This historic event took place at the initiative of the National Council of the Macedonian National Minority in Serbia, the newspaper reports mia.mk .

Marjan Jovanovski, Secretary of the Macedonian National Council, said that after several months of negotiations with the Macedonian Orthodox Church – the Archdiocese of Ohrid and the Serbian Orthodox Church, consent was obtained to hold the liturgy. The divine service was performed by Hieromonk Dionysius (Botev), an employee of the monastery "Sveta Petka" in Berkasovo municipality of Shid. Macedonians from all over Serbia came to the event.

Those present noted the importance of this event. Ventsislav Grabulov from Belgrade stressed that the liturgy has become a symbol of good relations between the two countries, and Maya Gligorowska from Glogovi expressed hope that such services will become a tradition.

This first service in the history of Serbia in the Macedonian language was held as part of the celebration of Ilinden — Ilyin Day, which is the national holiday of the Macedonian minority in Serbia. Previously, joint liturgies of the clergy of the Serbian and Macedonian Orthodox Churches were held in Serbia, but this is the first time that the liturgy was fully conducted by a Macedonian priest in the Macedonian language.

Photo: mia.mk