The tradition of celebrating the Slavic Educators Cyril and Methodius continued even this year, for the 43rd time, with the presence of the Macedonian delegation led by the President Dr. Gjorge Ivanov in Rome, at the event “Macedonia in honor of Ss. Cyril and Methodius”.
”Vatican has again expressed support for our nation, and Pope Benedict XVI has particularly highlighted the significance of the Educators Cyril and Methodius in spreading Christianity”, President Ivanov stated today in Rome after the audience with the Head of the Roman-Catholic Church.
”We, as a state and church delegation, have given highest importance to this event, thus we continue the tradition between the Holy See and Macedonia and foster this mutual respect”, President Ivanov stated after the meeting with the Pope, stressing that Pope Benedict XVI is well acquainted with the developments in our country, showed interest for the status of the efforts in solving the name issue with neighboring Greece and was especially impressed by the fact that Macedonia is known for its religious tolerance and respect for diversity.
This is the second meeting of President Dr. Gjorge Ivanov with Pope Benedict XVI within one month. The first one was on the occasion of beatification of Pope John Paul II. The audience with the Pope was also attended by the Minister of Information Society and Administration, Ivo Ivanovski, the Deputy Director of the Commission for Relations with Religious Communities and Religious Groups, Anton Serechi, Prespa and Pelagonia Metropolitan Peter, the Administrator of Australia and New Zealand and Metropolitan Poemen of Europe, as well as the Bishop of Skopje and Apostolic Exarch, Kiro Stojanov. In Vatican, President Ivanov, today had a meeting with Cardinal Francesco Monterizi.

At the audience, President Ivanov gave the Pope a bronze relief with biblical theme and received a golden Pontificate medallion. The relief weights 250 kg, is made by the Macedonian sculptor, Marijan Kamilovski, and cast in Florence. The theme is inspired by a dream of St.Paul who dreamt of a Macedonian who called him to come to Macedonia. Indeed, as the sculptor clarified, Christianity begins spreading in Europe through Macedonia.
Metropolitan Peter stated that the Macedonian Orthodox Church and Vatican are closely bind, including the celebration of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius. What is nowadays important, as Metropolitan Peter said, is the fact that the Pope and Vatican give opportunity and support to our graduated students to enroll at postgraduate studies at the University "Gregoriana" in Rome, and extended his gratitude, conveying greetings to the Pope from Archbishop Stephen of Ohrid and Macedonia.
This afternoon, the Macedonian delegation, accompanied by Cardinal Francesco Monterizi, will visit the basilica "San Paolo" and lay wreath at the grave of St. Paul. This evening, within the cultural contents of the event, in the theater "De Servi", a performance honoring Mother Teresa will be performed, entitled "The Saint of the Darkness".