President Stevo Pendarovski congratulated on the decision of the Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Church for acceptance of the autocephaly of the Macedonian Orthodox Church - Ohrid Archbishopric.

- I send congratulations to the head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church - Ohrid Archbishopric (MOC-OA) gg. Stefan to all citizens of the Orthodox faith on the occasion of the unanimous decision of the Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Church to accept the autocephaly of the MOC-OA. This is good news for all citizens of the country of Orthodox faith, which follows the decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to accept our Church in canonical unity and Eucharistic communion, said in a message from President Pendarovski.

The decision of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Pendarovski further states, will contribute to the correction of historical injustices and opens the possibility for new and unencumbered spiritual growth of the Ohrid Archbishopric.

- I believe that the whole process of recognizing the autocephaly of the Macedonian Orthodox Church - Ohrid Archbishopric will end with the imminent signing of the Tomos by the Ecumenical Patriarch HH Bartholomew, which will contribute to the fulfillment of one of our national interests and progress and reconciliation in the Macedonian society, states President Pendarovski in the message.

Patriarch Porphyry after today's service at a joint liturgy with the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, HH Stefan in the Cathedral in Skopje, said that the Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Church blesses and approves the autocephaly of the Macedonian Orthodox Church - Ohrid Archbishopric. He added that the Holy Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Church has given the Synod, in cooperation with Archbishop Stefan and his Synod, to work out technical and organizational details, which will be followed by the official proclamation of an official act.

VIDEO | Joint liturgy of MOC-OA and SOC in the cathedral "St. Kliment Ohridski ”in Skopje