The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today in Villa Biljana in Ohrid received Bishop Tikhon, Vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, who is paying a visit to the Republic of Macedonia.

At the meeting they exchanged views on the relations between the Macedonian Orthodox Church, Ohrid Archdiocese, and the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as the overall situation in Orthodoxy.

President Ivanov stressed the need for further intensification and enhancement of the relations between the Macedonian Orthodox Church, Ohrid Archdiocese, and the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as the relations between the Macedonian and the Russian people, which are connected by the rich shared history.

In this context, the Macedonian President underlined the missionary and teacher's role of the many educators who come from this region in the cultural development of all Slavic peoples.

At the meeting, Bishop Tikhon conveyed greetings from the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Kirill I to President Ivanov and stressed that Ohrid and Macedonia have an important role in spreading Orthodoxy.