The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, congratulated today’s statec holiday, May 24, the Day of the Macedonian and Slav Enlighters and Teachers, Saints Cyril and Methodius to all Orthodox believers and all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.

Respected citizens,

Let me congratulate you on May 24, the Day of the Macedonian and Slav Enlighters and Teachers, Saints Cyril and Methodius, and wish you joyful and blessed holiday moments.

With the indelible work of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius they obligated all Slavic peoples and the Christian world in general. With their role in promoting equality of languages and peoples, and the fight against the restricting medieval beliefs and restraints they are an example for the entire civilized world. St. Cyril and Methodius, declared patrons of Europe by His Holiness Pope John Paul II, they succeeded with their faith and perseverance to accomplish the mission of equal access to education and science for all.

On May 24, the Macedonian state, paying tribute and celebrating the work of St. Cyril and Methodius, is celebrating and promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, education and science, spirituality and ethics.

In their biography, the holy brothers have shown that the strength of human spirit, faith and perseverance are invincible. May their struggle be our guideline in these times when everything is again overshadowed by denials of any kind, to persist in the preservation of our national, linguistic and cultural identity!

Many happy returns of this great national holiday!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov