History of the [[Image:MOC logo.png|right]]The '''Macedonian Orthodox Church ''' or '''MOC''' (in Macedonian: '''Македонска Православна Црква''' or '''МПЦ''') is a [[jurisdiction]] in the Republic of Macedonia which declares itself to be [[autocephaly|autocephalous]]. It separated from the [[Church of Serbia]] in 1967. Its self-proclaimed autocephaly is not officially recognized by other Orthodox churches, nor is it in communion with any of them.
==History== According to Formerly known as [[w:Vardar Banovina|Vardarska Banovina]] (Province of the sources river Vardar), in March 1945, the ActsPeople's Republic of Macedonia was created, Saint Paulas one of republics of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Christ's disciplegoverned by the Communist Party of Yugoslavia. In Skopje, began spreading Christianity a Resolution to create the Macedonian Orthodox Church was submitted to the Serbian patriarchate which had since 1919 exercised sole jurisdiction in Macedonia and elsewhere on the Balkan Peninsula towards area. This resolution was rejected. During World War II there was also an initiative to create an Armenian-Macedonian Church in the mid 1st century AD. He visited territory of occupied Greece, but this region on two occasions during his journeys through Europe and Asia. He plan was followed supported only by Timothy few ethnic Armenians and SilasAegean Macedonians in the zone of Kastoria. After the war another resolution, who remained submitted in Macedonia after his departure1958, proposing the Ohrid Archdiocese of St. At that time, [[Clement of Ochrid|Clement]] as a Roman province Macedonia often changed its borders and its ethnic compositionMacedonian Orthodox Church, was accepted ([[June 17]], 1959) under strong pressure from the Communist authorities. As a result Dositej Stojković, auxiliary bishop of the Christianization in Serbian patriarch, left Belgrade and was proclaimed the first three centuriesMetropolitan of Skopje. In order to prevent schism, the Christians Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church granted autonomy to three Dioceses in Macedonia at . A Macedonian was consecrated bishop. But two of them soon consecrated new bishops who were without the beginning proper qualifications. Soon Macedonians started to organize churches in diaspora without approval of the 4th century already had an organised Patriarch and bishops who were responsible for the dioceses in diaspora. During the so-called Third Clergy and Laity Assembly on [[July 19]], 1967, in Ohrid, the Macedonian Orthodox Church was proclaimed as autocephalous with an established ecclesiastical hierarchy, whose bishops regularly participated at the ecumenical councilsstrong public support.
In Since the 5th century breakup of Yugoslavia and the end of Communist repression of the Church had several metropolises and dioceses, the Serbian patriarchate has been in conflict with the Macedonian Orthodox Church, which has yet to gain recognition from the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate]] or any other autocephalous church. The metropolises issue of dispute is the allegedly anti-[[canonical]] method used to gain autocephaly, the issue of Thessalonica the Serbian Orthodox minority (at least some 40,000 strong) and Skopje were the most distinguished among them. Several Christian basilicas originate question of some hundreds of Serbian Orthodox [[shrine]]s from this the medieval Nemanjić period, including . It is also presumed that the one near the village name ''Macedonian'' is a matter of Bardovci, in dispute regarding the western outskirts [[Church of SkopjeGreece]].
During ===Relations with the reign Autonomous Archdiocese of Ohrid===The two churches had been negotiating the emperor Justinian I (527-565)details of a compromise agreement reached in Niš, Serbia in 2002, who came from which would have given the village Macedonians ''de facto'' independent status just short of Tauresium in the Skopje regioncanonical autocephaly. However, a new town was built near the emperor's birthplaceagreement, named Justiniana Prima after himsigned by Metr. The Metropolitan [[Jovan VI (Vraniškovski) of Skopje was appointed an autocephalous Archbishop. Cathellian Ohrid|Jovan (Vraniskovski)]] from the Macedonian side, was rejected by the first Archbishop of Macedonian government and the Archdiocese Justiniana PrimaMOC's holy synod. The other archbishops were: BenenatIn turn, Paul, John I, Leon and the last one John IXSerbian Orthodox Church granted full autonomy to the [[Autonomous Archdiocese of Ohrid|Archdiocese of Ohrid]], who its embattled branch in 680-81 took part at the Trullo Council Republic of Macedonia, in Constantinoplelate May 2005 and appointed Jovan as its archbishop.
The Slav colonisation later chain of events turned into a vicious circle of Macedonia began in mutual accusations and incidents involving the 7th century, when the Slavs were assimilated with the native inhabitants. Their Christianization began in the 9th century with the life patriarchate and work of the holy brothers, Saints Methodius and Cyrilpartly, who came from Thessalonica. They created the Cyrillic alphabet Serbian government on one side, and translated the Holy Bible and several other scriptures so that the church services could be held in the vernacular. Their mission was continued MOC, backed by Saints Clement and Nahum of Ohrid at the end of 9th and in Macedonian government on the beginning of the 10th centuryother. Saint Clement founded the first University of the Slavs in this region, The Macedonian side regarded Jovan as a traitor and Saint Nahum founded the first Slavic monastery on the shore of Lake OhridSerbian puppet. In the second half Jovan complained of the 10th century, within the borders of Samuel's a new state, the autocephalous Ohrid Archdiocese was established with the rank of patriarchate-backed media campaign against his church. After the fall of Samuel's state"They are creating an unstable, explosive atmosphere among the Ohrid Archdiocese was reduced population and are virtually inviting people to a lower rank of church hierarchy (archbishopric) and it existed as such for eight centurieslynch us, until its abolishment " he told Forum 18 News Service.<ref>[http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=579 MACEDONIA: Why is state interfering in 1767 by the Turkish sultan Mustapha III, and its dioceses were annexed to the Patriarchate Orthodox dispute?]</ref> The government has denied registration of Constantinoplehis church<ref>[http://www. From this moment on Macedonian people made all possible efforts to restore the Archdioceseforum18.org/Archive. Its dioceses were under several jurisdictions of the neighbouring php?article_id=418 MACEDONIA: Serbian Orthodox Churches and this struggle became particularly fierce in the second part "will never get registration"]</ref>, attacked its places of the 19th worship and the first part of the 20th centurylaunched a criminal case against him. Convenient conditions for restoration of He was arrested, removed from his bishopric and then expelled from the independence were created not earlier than during World War II (1941-1945)country. Right before the end of the war, He returned in 19442005 and, in the village of Gorno Vranovciafter attempting to perform a [[baptism]], an Initiative Board for Organisation of the Macedonian Orthodox Church he was formed. In March, 1945arrested, sentenced to 18 months in Skopje, a Resolution prison<ref>[http://www.iwpr.net/?p=bcr&s=f&o=257037&apc_state=henibcr200508 Church Rivalry Threatens to restore the Archdiocese of Ohrid as Macedonian Orthodox Church was made at the First Clergy Brim Over]</ref> and Laity Assemblyjailed with "extremely limited visitation rights."<ref>[http://www. This decision was submitted to the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, since before World War II several dioceses in Macedonia were under the United Orthodox Church of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians, known later as Serbian Orthodox Churchsoutheasteurope.org/subpage. php?sub_site=2&id=14827&head=hl&site=5 The Synod head of the Serbian Orthodox Church did not accept this decision, which resulted in the following actions of the Initiative Board: instead of as an autocephalous, the Board insisted on the Church being recognised as autonomous. This request Macedonia was also rejected. In 1958, the Second Clergy and Laity Assembly was held put in Ohrid and the proposal for restoration of the Ohrid Archdiocese of Saint Clement as a Macedonian Orthodox Church was accepted and Dositheus was appointed the first archbishop. Jail]</ref>
The Holy Synod In September 2005 he was also accused of embezzlement of church funds at the Serbian Orthodox Church agreed with time when he still was MOC clergyman. In turn, the patriarchate denied a Macedonian delegation access to the decisions monastery of Prohor Pćinjski, which was the usual site of Macedonian Clergy and Laity Assembly celebration of the national holiday of Ilinden (St. [[Elijah]]) on [[August 2]]).<ref>[http://www.lobi.com.mk/default-en.asp?ItemID=A24A3FEA12A7AF4795442CFA3295E658 Macedonian delegation is not going to Prohor Pcinjski]</ref> Macedonian border police often deny Serbian priests entry into the country in the resolution ASclerical garb. No 47<ref>[http://1959 and 6www.hrw.org/1959, minutes 57 of June 17wr2k/4, 1959Eca-14. htm MACEDONIA: Human Rights Developments]</ref>
As a sign of agreement, a Liturgy was concelebrated with the Serbian Patriarch German, on July On [[March 19]], 19592006, in Skopjefollowing a successful court appeal, in the church of Saint Menas. At the same time, Clement Abp Jovan was ordained the bishop of Prespa and Bitola. This meant that the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church gave autonomy to the Macedonian Orthodox Church, which remained in canonical unity with the Serbian Church under their Patriarch. Few released after spending 220 days later, in the church of Stprison. Nicholas in Štip, H.E. Nahum was ordained the bishop of the diocese of Zletovo and Strumica. The Holy Synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church was established together with other administrative bodies in the Archdiocese and the dioceses in conformity with the Constitution of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. In May, 1962, accompanied by Patriarch German and other representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexis of Moscow visited the Macedonian Orthodox Church. Among them were Metropolitan Nicodemus, Bishop Pimen and other dignitaries of the Russian Orthodox Church. On the feast of Saints Methodius and Cyril, in the church of the Holy Mother of God Kamenska, in Ohrid, Patriarch Alexis of Moscow, Patriarch German and the Macedonian Metropolitan Dositheus concelebrated Holy Liturgy. It was the first Holy Liturgy to be concelebrated by the head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church with heads of other autocephalous Orthodox Churches<ref>[http://freearchbishop.com/?p=46 Archbishop kyr kyr Jovan (John) VI is released from prison]</ref>
In 1966 the relations with the Serbian Church got worse August 2006, Abp Jovan was again. Due to the conflicts and misunderstandings, the Holy Synod convicted of embezzlement of the Macedonian Orthodox Church summoned the Third Clergy MOC church funds and Laity Assembly on July 17, 1967, voluntarily surrendered himself to imprisonment after a short period in Ohridhiding. At the formal session in An appeal has been lodged on his behalf with the Ohrid church International Court of St. Clement, the Holy Synod proclaimed the Macedonian Orthodox Church as AUTOCEPHALOUS. Justice at The act of proclamation was made by the Holy Synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church during the Holy Liturgy celebrated in the church of St. Clement of Ohrid on July 19, 1967, or exactly on the second centennial after it had been banned by the Ottoman authoritiesHague.
The jurisdiction of the Macedonian Orthodox Church spreads not only throughout MacedoniaDespite public appeals from both churches for "Christian brotherhood and unity, but also in " both sides have failed to settle the church communities abroaddispute.
According to Article 17 from the Proclamation of Autocephaly==Organization== Since 1999, the Macedonian Orthodox Church as an administrative part has been headed by Archbishop [[Stephen (Veljanovski) of Ohrid|Stefan of the One, Holy, Catholic Ohrid]] and Apostolic Church is to observe Macedonia. He presides over the Holy Scriptures and Synod of Hierarchs of the Holy traditionMOC, the Canons consisting of the Apostles and the decrees of the ecumenical councils himself, and is to follow them nine [[metropolitan]]s and the Constitution of the Macedonian Orthodox Churchassistant [[bishop]]s.
Praying humbly for The 10 dioceses of the other onesMOC are governed by ten bishops, with around 500 active priests in about 500 [[parish]]es with over 2000 churches and [[monastery|monasteries]]. The church claims jurisdiction over about 20 active monasteries, with more than 100 [[monk]]s. ===[[Diocese|Dioceses]] in the territory of Republic of Macedonia===#[[Diocese of Skopje]], headed by Archbishop Stefan of Ohrid and Macedonia;#[[Diocese of Tetovo and Gostivar]], headed by Metropolitan [[Josif (Todorovski)(metropolitan)|Josif]];#[[Diocese of Kumanovo and Osogovo]], headed by Metropolitan [[Joseph of Kumanovo and Osogovo|Josif]];#[[Diocese of Debar and Kičevo]], headed by Metropolitan [[Timothy (metropolitan)|Timotej]];#[[Diocese of Prespa and Pelagonia]], headed by Metropolitan [[Peter (metropolitan)|Petar]];#[[Diocese of Strumica]], headed by Metropolitan [[Naum (metropolitan)|Naum]];#[[Diocese of Bregalnica]], headed by Metropolitan [[Hilarion (metropolitan)|Ilarion]];#[[Diocese of Povardarie]], headed by Metropolitan [[Agathangelos (metropolitan), Povardarie|Agatangel]] ===Dioceses abroad===#[[Macedonian Orthodox Diocese of America and Canada|Diocese of America and Canada]], headed by His Eminence Metropolitan [[Methodius (Zlatanov) of Toronto|Metodij]]#[[Macedonian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand|Diocese of Australia and New Zealand]], administered by His Eminence Metropolitan [[Peter (Karevski) of Prespa|Petar]]#[[Macedonian Orthodox Diocese of Europe|Diocese of Europe]], headed by His Eminence Metropolitan Pimen of Europe ==References==<references /> ==Source==*[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Macedonian_Orthodox_Church&oldid=55478105 Wikipedia:Macedonian Orthodox Church] ==See also==*[[:mk:Главна_страница|Православна-енциклопедија Главна страница]]*[[w:Macedonia naming dispute]] ==External links==*[http://www.mpc.org.mk Macedonian Orthodox Church will always rely on the prayers], blessings official site*[http://www.svpetaripavle.org Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral Sts Peter and assistance Paul-Crown Point, IN, USA]*[http://www.stclementofohrid.com/ St. Clement of Ohrid Cathedral in Toronto]*[http://www.macedonianchurch.org/HistoryofMacedonianOrthodoxChurch.htm History of Macedonian Orthodox Church from MOC's point of view]*[http://www.macedonianchurch.org Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral of the Dormition of the elder sibling holy local Orthodox ChurchesVirgin Mary ("St. Mary") - Greater Columbus, Ohio, USA]*[http://www.poa-info.org/frameset.php?l=en&r=history Failed agreemment between SOC and MOC] [[Category:Jurisdictions]] [[fr:Église orthodoxe macédonienne]]
