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FYROM Bishop David of Stobi: “Alexander the Great spread Hellenic language and culture”

3/23/2017

6 Comments

 
By Vladislav Perunović
Skopje, FYROM
PictureBishop David Ninov of Stobi of the POA
Photo credit: PlusInfo
Occasionally, the truth appears on the surface in all simple frankness even in the media of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). The latest case is the recognition of historical truth about Alexander the Great by David Ninov Bishop of Stobi of the POA (“Pravoslavna Ohridska Arhiepiskopija”, English: ”Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric"). ​In order to understand the importance of his statement, it should be mentioned that it was given for the leftist PlusInfo (+Info) portal, part of which is printed in the only printed newspaper that reflects the left - opposing Gruevski - and in particular the point of view of SDSM*. By far most of the readers are not religious, not overtly so, or they strongly defend the so-called “Macedonian Orthodox Church”, created by the Communist Party of Yugoslavia from 1958-1967 via its unilateral declaration of separation from the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC).  

Due to the aforementioned unilateral declaration, the "Macedonian Orthodox Church" remains unrecognized by all other Orthodox churches and its clergy deemed schismatics. The POA, on the other hand, is canonically recognized in the Orthodox Christian world through its communion with the Serbian Church. Although the POA is the canonical church of the land since its founding in 1019, it is officially outlawed by the FYROM State Religion Commission. Its persecuted clergy and adherents conduct their services in secret locations. 

So what was it about that simple statement of historical truth by Bishop David that makes it more relevant, even revolutionary? As a regular columnist for PlusInfo, in an article discussing the need to create positive regional relations with all countries surrounding the FYROM, he wrote:

"From their neighbors it seems that our citizens know least about modern-day Hellenes. Sure, everyone heard about ancient Hellenes, about famous philosophers, about Homer, about Alexander the Great who spread Hellenic culture and Hellenic language through the ecumene as it was then, but today, except for resorts and shopping tours very few (of us) know the magnificent contemporary Hellenic culture".

- "PlusInfo" (http://plusinfo.mk/mislenje/2570/papadiamantis), 22 of March 2017.
​
Picture
​The article, therefore, does not express the stance of the majority of readers of PlusInfo, but the inclusion of Bishop David in the team of the media was a necessity due to both the POA and the SDSM opposing the regime of far-right Nikola Gruevski, which still - through desperate measures - tries to stay in power. Both journalists of PlusInfo and contributors are from the rank of oppressed and persecuted individuals and entities in the central Balkan state.

​The aforementioned discrepancy between the sociological profile of readers of this media and Ninov’s bold statement on the Hellenism of Alexander the Great and his civilizing actions (which, according to Russian Orthodox Cleric, Prof. Andrey Posternak**, paved the way for Christianity) makes it certain that it was not an “ordered” statement, but a personal conclusion by Bishop David that reflects international academic consensus as opposed to the anti-Greek, national-mysticist theories of "Macedonia" promoted by far-right VMRO-DPMNE academics since their creation of the national myth back in 1991 but especially since 2006 when the antiquization program of the FYROM became a fashionable social preoccupation.

The 
POA, with this highly polarizing and interesting statement, in the context of the regrettable fact that, from both religious, humanistic and sociological perspectives the knowledge about contemporary dynamic Hellenic culture is something virtually unknown to most citizens of the FYROM, promoted truth on a much higher order. Over the years, the POA has done this many times in the media with regard to Greek and Bulgarian history, which garnered the epithet of “predavnička (“treacherous“)” by the political far-right, blended with the rhetoric of high-ranking clerics of the schismatic "Macedonian Orthodox Church" that promotes the bizarre notion of “unbroken linguistic, cultural and biological origin from the Macedonians of Alexander’s era”.

Notes:
*SDSM (Social-democratic Union of FYROM)
** Andrey Posternak’s statement may be seen here.
6 Comments
Sakshama
3/26/2017 04:27:59 am

This bishop is an instalment of the Serbian Ortodox Church that denies Macedonian Ordtodox Church the same way the Greeks denies there are Macedonians at all and working closely with the Greek Ortodox Church. He has no followings and his sole purpose is for you to quote him.

Reply
Macedonian League link
3/30/2017 02:47:46 pm

We are sorry to inform you, but the Archbishopric of Ohrid (the autonomous Archbishopric of the Serbian Orthodox Church) is the legitimate Church of the land and has been functioning since the year 1019. It is recognized, as the article states, by the entire Orthodox world but it is the FYROM that refuses to register the Church due to obvious political reasons.

It is, in fact, the communist-created, so called "Macedonian Orthodox Church" that is the new player on the territory of the FYROM with a very short history dating back to 1958. The MOC is both unrecognized by the Orthodox Church as a whole and its clergy deemed schismatic.

The Bishop in question (David of Stobi) DID NOT create his comments for a Greek audience. The Bishop released his article in the FYROM for that country's audience in an article where he was promoting the need to create good neighborly relations with all of the countries surrounding the FYROM and he specifically noted the fact that people in the FYROM have no idea of contemporary Hellenic culture.

Reply
Sakshama
4/4/2017 08:28:51 pm

If Greece was a broad democracy concerning the church and spiritual matters (Like Macedonia is) I could go to Thessaloniki, open a church and proclaim myself the bishop of Thessaloniki (Neapoli). I will get more following than this very young man has. Perhaps my statements will be broadcasted in Skopje. But let's be honest, I have to believe in something to apply myself and propaganda is not something I believe in. You on the opposite believe in propaganda. It is not that you will change somebody's mind in Macedonia but it is for internal consumption as I can see you are not holding the Greek audience in high esteem serving this as a news.

Alfred Deere
3/26/2017 10:09:18 am

Seriously, why do FYROM Slavs have an obsession with Greek history and worse, the usurping of Greek history and it's heroes?
Modern day Slavs have ZERO I'll repeat that, ZERO lineage with the ancient or modern Greeks. It's about time the government & far right propagandist movement re-educate it's people on its real history and the real evolution of its Slavic origins and stop arguing the inarguable

Reply
Sakshama
3/30/2017 04:26:05 pm

I see my sustained comment that it is not in your favour removed. I see you "Macedonian League" not as as a curious people seeking truth from all angles but more like a group emotionally similar to a bunch of soccer fans screaming their club's name.

Reply
Macedonian League link
4/3/2017 05:30:41 pm

Your previous message contained language we deemed unacceptable an inappropriate.

Contents on our website are viewed on an international level by people in various fields, especially members of foreign governments who we consult with regarding the FYROM name issue.

We don't mind that you comment, but comments with swearing and similar types of language will be removed out of respect for our audience and not due to the content of the message itself.


Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


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