No politician has a term to negotiate the identity of a nation. The majority of Macedonian citizens did not vote for a program that stipulates a change of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia for the purpose of changing the constitutional name of the state. So, neither the current government got the people's mandate to change the identity, to give up of the Diaspora, to erase history and memory, said the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Gjorge Ivanov, during the visit to the Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral, Nativity of Virgin Mary in Detroit.

"The Republic of Macedonia is a permanent benefit. But with the agreement with Greece and the upcoming referendum, that lasting benefit is now being relativized. As if it is not understood that by relativizing the permanent, we also relativize us as nation. This agreement attempts to humiliate us, as no nation has ever been humiliated. They want to make us foolish, believing that we do not know what our name is", President Ivanov said, reiterating his stance that he will not vote in the referendum on September 30th.

"Revivalists fought for freedom from spiritual slavery. Revolutionaries fought for freedom from political slavery. Are we now, after all these sacrifices, entering into a new slavery? Will we deny the freedom to call ourselves according to our own name. Will we be constrained to say the Republic of Macedonia exists, fearing if we mention the Republic of Macedonia not to offend someone? To say the Republic of Macedonia is neither shameful nor fearful", President Ivanov said.

The Macedonian President attended liturgy and consecration of the fresco painting in the church, and visited the children of Macedonian origin who study Religious Studies.

"When you write, speak and create in Macedonian, you actively participate in the construction of our ideal homeland. Macedonia is a homeland of the old Slavic ecclesiastical language. Our duty, as Macedonians, is to keep and continually improve our Macedonian language. Therefore, my appeal to you today is not to forget the Macedonian language. To teach your children, to encourage your loved ones, to be an example and encouragement for the Macedonians in the Diaspora, but also in the Republic of Macedonia", President Ivanov told the representatives in the church community in Detroit.