ANNOUNCEMENT of the Communication Service of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate in connection with the destruction of the church in the Leshok village in Macedonia
24.08.2001 · English, Архив 2001
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE COMMUNICATION SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR EXTERNAL CHURCH RELATIONS OF THE MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE IN CONNECTION WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CHURCH IN THE LESHOK VILLAGE IN MACEDONIA
The Orthodox Church of St. Afanasy in the Leshok village near the Macedonian town of Tetovo was barbarously destroyed by the terrorists. The church was a part of the unique architectural and historic complex of the monastery of the XIII century.
This act of impudent vandalism and bold challenge to the international community is continuation of the terrorist aggression in Kosovo, where, in spite of the presence of the authorities, which had taken responsibilities on the control after preserving peace and order in the country, more than hundred Orthodox churches were destroyed. Today the destruction of the Orthodox shrines takes place in the neighbouring to Kosovo Macedonia.
As far back as 1999, at the beginning of the bombardment of Yugoslavia, the Moscow Patriarchate urged to cease hostilities against the country, justly indicating that it would not result in settlement of the conflict and would not lead to the achievement of peace, but would arouse escalation of the conflict. At the same time our Church has condemned and is condemning the illegal actions of any military groups directed against life and property of the Balkan inhabitants of any nationality. Today we are witnesses to a full-scale expansion of terrorism and extremism in the region.
Terrorist violence should meet a united repulse of the international community. Political interests can`t justify the direct or circumstantial support of extremist powers guilty in death of peaceful inhabitants and in destruction of national shrines.
Deeply co-suffering with the Orthodox faithful of Macedonia and all the people of this country, the Russian Orthodox Church prays for restoration of peaceful life in the Balkans.
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