North Macedonia marked Ilinden, one of the country's most important religious and national holidays, on Saturday with Orthodox worship services and state ceremonies honoring both the biblical Prophet Elijah and the heroes of the 1903 Ilinden Uprising.

The central church celebration took place at the Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah in Skopje, where Archbishop Stefan of Ohrid and Macedonia led the Divine Liturgy, concelebrating with Metropolitan Pimen of Europe and Metropolitan Nikolaj of Australia and New Zealand. Following the service, a memorial prayer was offered for the participants of the Ilinden Uprising and all those who gave their lives in the struggle for Macedonia's spiritual and national freedom.

In his holiday message, Archbishop Stefan said that Ilinden remains not only a day of historical remembrance but also a spiritual guide for the nation. He described the Holy Prophet Elijah as an example of unwavering faith, courage, and commitment to defending the truth even in times of persecution.

According to biblical tradition, the Prophet Elijah was a zealous defender of the worship of the one true God in the Kingdom of Israel and a fearless opponent of idolatry. Archbishop Stefan noted that the prophet's spiritual legacy and the sacrifice of the Ilinden heroes are united by their devotion to high ideals. He called on citizens to preserve the Orthodox faith, strengthen national unity, and honor the sacrifices of previous generations that secured the country's freedom.

The Archbishop also emphasized the historic role of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, saying that during periods when the Macedonian people lacked their own statehood, the Church safeguarded not only the Orthodox faith but also education, literacy, culture, and national identity. He added that the Church continues to serve as a spiritual pillar of the nation today.

Ilinden is regarded as one of North Macedonia's most significant holidays because it unites religious and national traditions. On Aug. 2, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Prophet Elijah, one of the most revered figures of the Old Testament, who, according to Scripture, was taken into heaven in a fiery chariot.

The date also marks two defining moments in Macedonian history: the Ilinden Uprising against the Ottoman Empire, which began on Aug. 2, 1903, and the first session of the Anti-Fascist Assembly for the National Liberation of Macedonia (ASNOM) on Aug. 2, 1944, an event widely regarded as laying the foundations of the modern Macedonian state. As a result, Ilinden is widely seen as a symbol of faith, freedom, and national unity.

State commemorations were held across the country, with the main ceremonies taking place in Kruševo, where officials laid wreaths at the grave of revolutionary leader Nikola Karev and at memorials dedicated to the heroes of the Ilinden Uprising. Additional events were held at the Memorial Center in Pelince.

President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, speaking during the commemorations, warned against attempts to reinterpret the nation's history and called for reconciliation and unity to strengthen the country.

The Macedonian Orthodox Church said that the memory of Ilinden should inspire future generations to preserve spiritual values, maintain national unity, and remain faithful to Christian ideals.