Message from Metropolitan Kirill to the prime minister of Macedonia

MESSAGE FROM METROPOLITAN KIRILL TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF MACEDONIA

To His Excellency Ljubco Georgijevski
Chairman of the Government
Republic of Macedonia

Your Excellency,
Highly Esteemed Mr. Chairman:

With profound concern and anxiety I have followed the developments taking place in Macedonia at present. Your country has encountered one of the most serious challenges of today – international terrorism and extremism.

I can assure you that the Orthodox Christians in Russia have a special, gained-through-suffering sympathy for the trials that the people of Macedonia have to undergo today. Thousands of people have fallen victim to the actions of international terrorist organizations in Chechnya and other regions in Russia. There were clergymen of Russian Orthodox Church who found death in the hands of terrorists.

I am convinced that one of the key reasons for the problems that Macedonia has encountered now is the policy that a number of states have pursued in the Balkans in recent years. Having sided with one of the parties to the conflict between the Serbian and Albanian communities in Kosovo, these countries undertook military actions violating commonly accepted principles of international law. However, in upshot they have failed to achieve true peace and security of the peoples.

With the connivance of the same countries, the radical nationalist military formations have become actual masters in Kosovo. In spite of the presence of armed peacemakers, the region represents a source of perpetual threat of spreading violence.

We signed with relief and made the sign of the cross when the terrorist attacks against Tetovo and other Macedonian cities were rebuffed. The Macedonian authorities and army did their duty courageously. However, tension continues, while the building of a lasting peace still requires much effort.

The world community is now facing the priority task: after an analysis of the tragic experience of Kosov, to overcome the existing political differences, to unite in face of the common enemy which is international terrorism and put an end resolutely to its spread. It is time to understand that the tactics of concessions and compromises with the evil leads only to the augmentation of people’s suffering. The leading countries of Europe and the world should help Macedonia to get rid of the threat of aggression from outside. I hope that Russia will be able to make her contribution to this sacred cause. The commitment of our Church to the reconciliation of the Balkan nations is invariable, and we are ready to use every opportunity for dialogue with people of good will for the sake of an equitable resolution of all the existing controversies.

Your Excellency, in this time so difficult for your country, I would like to assure you of our full support for the efforts of the government, army and people of Macedonia in their struggle with the aggression of terrorist groupings and their efforts for establishing peace and stability in the country.

On the threshold of the feast of the Resurrection of Christ, we ardently pray to the Lord for the people of traditionally Orthodox Macedonia, for the Slavs and Albanians living in its land, for people of all nationalities and faiths. May the Lord guide their hearts to peace and protect them from lawless attacks and give their peace and prosperity for many good years.

To you, Mr. Chairman of the Government, I wish God’s help in your work for the benefit of the people.

With love in the Lord and sincere respect,

Kirill
Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad Chairman
Department for External Church Relations
Moscow Patriarchate