The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the holiday St. Clement of Ohrid, sent a congratulation message to the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, H.H. Stephan.
Your Holiness,
On the occasion of St. Clement of Ohrid, let me extend cordial greetings and best wishes for prosperity and peaceful spiritual life to all Orthodox Christians, to you personally and to the whole clergy and monks.

This great saint is patron and protector of the Macedonian nation throughout its history. St. Clement of Ohrid is founder of the Ohrid Literary School and creator of the Cyrillic alphabet who laid the foundations of Christianity and Macedonian literacy. Today's holiday reminds us that we should continue to cherish his noble mission and tradition of promoting Orthodoxy which is based on love, peace, mutual respect, tolerance and solidarity.

Marking the Day of St. Clement of Ohrid we celebrate the written word and letters which are of great importance for the Macedonian people and the Macedonian state, because Clement's educational mission the work of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius is continued.

Convinced that the Macedonian Orthodox Church, as before, will continue to foster the deeds of the great educator, I extend cordial congratulations to you, Your Holiness, to the Holy Synod of Bishops and all Orthodox believers.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov