Problems of the Macedonian Orthodox Church in the modern Greek memorial politics

   Introduction. The purpose of the article is to analyse the perception of the problems of the history of the status of the Macedonian Orthodox Church in the politics of memory of modern Greece.

   Materials and Methods. The study is based on the analysis of texts that form the perception of the Macedonian church problem in the politics of memory in Greece.

   Analysis. The article analyses the perception of the Macedonian ecclesiastical problems in modern Greek memorial culture. The article also shows that the politics of memory forming the perception of the history of the Macedonian Church in modern Greek society simultaneously depends on the development of civic and ethnic nationalism, burdened by ties with the
Orthodox Church. It is assumed that the mass media and political elites of modern Greece, as the main agents of historical politics, use the problems of the history of the Church in the territory of Macedonia to consolidate their own national identity and conduct a policy of memory aimed at promoting the narrative of territorial unity and the exclusively Greek character of the territory of Macedonia in modern Greece.

   Results. The results of the study suggest that the memorial culture of modern Greek society in contexts of the perception of the history of the Church on the territory of Macedonia is distinguished by a nationalistic character, and the perception of church history in the collective memory of Greece develops in contexts of moderate memorial contradictions with Macedonia. It is shown that the transformation of the viewpoint of the Greek memorial culture emerged as the result of consultations with the Macedonian elites and an agreement to change the name of the modern Macedonian state. It is assumed that the policy of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the settlement of the formal status of the Macedonian Church significantly reduced the level of the memorial confrontation between Skopje and Athens.

1. Astrov A. Estonia: political struggle for a place in history. Pro et contra. 2009. May – August: 109-124. (in Russ.).

2. Josif, The Proclamation of the Autocephaly of the Macedonian Orthodox Church at the Third Macedonian Church-National Council, Ohrid, July 17-19, 1967. Ogledalo. 2017, 8–9:8–13. (in Macedonian).

3. Kozias: The Greek Church should not interfere in the name issue. Radio Slobodna Evropa. 2018. Junе 5. Available from: https://www.slobodnaevropa.mk/a/29271981.html [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Macedonian).

4. Miller A. Russia: power and history. Pro et contra. 2009. May – August: 6–24. (in Russ.).

5. Shnirelman V. Aryans or Proto-Turks? Contested Ancestors in Contemporary Central Asia. Nationalities Papers. 2009; 37 (5): 557–587.

6. Athanasiádis A. Neologisms and innovations about Macedonians and Macedonia on the fringes of the «Macedonian Ecclesiastical Issue». Fragmenta Hellenoslavica. 2019–2020; 6: 49–100. (in Greek).

7. Andreópoulou C. The ecclesiastical aspect of the Macedonian issue: historical and legal approach. Christianiki. 2019. October 23. Available from: https://xristianiki.gr/i-ekklisiastikí-ptychí-tou-makedoniko/ [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

8. Aslanídis I. Historical memory: the Greek roots of Macedonia. Ellinoamerikanikó Praktoreío Eidíseon. 2016. October 25. URL: https://archive.greekamericannewsagency.com/2016/10/25/istoriki-mnimi-makedonia-rizes/ [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

9. Vavoúskos A. Archdiocese of Ahridos or Archdiocese of Skopje. Romfea. 2022. June 9. Available from: https://www.romfea.gr/katigories/10-apopseis/50561-arxiepiskopi-axridos-i-arxiepiskopi-skopion [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

10. North Macedonia: Pentarovski asks the Patriarchate to recognize the Orthodox Church of his country. Tribune.gr. 2020. September 21. Available from: https://www.tribune.gr/religion/news/article/692280/voreia-makedonia-o-pentarofski-zita-apo-to-oik-patriarcheio-na-anagnorisei-tin-orthodoxi-ekklisia-tis-choras-toy.html [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

11. North Macedonia: The Ecumenical Patriarchate recognizes the church of the country with the name «Ekklesia Ahridos». Prototheme. 2022. May 10. Available from: https://www.protothema.gr/world/article/1241400/voreia-makedonia-to-oikoumeniko-patriarheio-anagnorizei-tin-ekklisia-tis-horas-me-tin-onomasia-ekklisia-ahridos/ [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

12. Voúri S. Sources for the history of Macedonia 1889 – 1905: Church and State. Athína: Gutenberg, 1999. 335 p. (in Greek).

13. Dánkas A. Comintern and the Macedonian question. The Greek background, 1924. Thessaloníki: Trochalía, 2008. 294 р. (in Greek).

14. Dendias from Skopje: We will support the European perspective of North Macedonia. Patris News. 2022. May 25. Available from: https://www.patrisnews.com/dendias-apo-skopia-tha-stirixoyme-tin-eyropaiki-prooptiki-tis-voreias-makedonias/ [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

15. The schismatic Church in North Macedonia awaits recognition from the Fanari. Tribune.gr. 2019. May 16. Available from: https://www.tribune.gr/religion/news/article/578472/i-schismatiki-ekklisia-sti-voreia-makedonia-prosmenei-se-anagnorisi-apo-to-fanari.html [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

16. The schismatic Church of Skopje insists on being called «Macedonian». Tribune.gr. 2018. October 7. Available from: https://www.tribune.gr/religion/news/article/511454/i-schismatiki-ekklisia-ton-skopion-epimenei-na-onomazetai-makedoniki.html [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

17. Irakleídis A. The Macedonian Question 1878 – 2018. From national claims to conflicting national identities. Athína: Themélio, 2018. 336 р. (in Greek).

18. Katoúnta S. Building a nation - The Macedonian again in the foreground. Athína: Ekdotikós Oíkos A. A. Liváni, 2022. 416 p. (in Greek).

19. Katsaniótis A. Expatriate Hellenism is a precious capital. Ert News. 2021. December 13. Available from: https://www.ertnews.gr/omogeneia/a-katsaniotis-yperpolytimo-kefalaio-o-apodimos-ellinismos/ [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

20. Liákos A. Constructions of heroes and the politics of memory. Efsyn.gr. November 5. Available from: https://www.efsyn.gr/stiles/apopseis/170794_kataskeyes-iroon-kai-politiki-tis-mnimis [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

21. Macedonian identities over time. Interdisciplinary approaches / ed. G. Stefanídis. Athína: Ekdóseis Patáki, 2008. 598 р. (in Greek).

22. Malliás A. Greece and North Macedonia. The autopsy of the difficult Prespa Agreement. Athína: Ekdóseis I. Sidéris, 2018. 204 s. (in Greek).

23. Mártis N. The falsification of the history of Macedonia. Thessaloníki: Malliáris Paideía, 2007. 312 s. (in Greek).

24. Melissáris D. The hasty baptism of the «Macedonian» language and the ethnological inaccuracy at the time of early election. Huffington Post. 2020. May 27. Available from: https://www.huffingtonpost.gr/entry/to-veviasmeno-vaptisma-tes-makedonikes-ylossas-kai-e-ethnoloyike-anakriveia-en-kairo-prooron-ekloyon_gr_5ecb9758c5b610d0c5ecf5ef [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

25. Moumtzís S. Historical oblivion. Kathimerini. 2022. November 19. Available from: https://www.kathimerini.gr opinion/562144678/istoriki-lithi/ [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

26. Boukálas P. Political memory and future. Kathimerini. 2005. February 1. Available from: https://www.kathimerini.gr/opinion/697349/politiki-mnimi-kai-mellon/ [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

27. Brátsos N. The Serbian Church for the Orthodox Church in North Macedonia. Ert News. 2019. May 16. Available from: https://www.ertnews.gr/eidiseis/diethni/i-serviki-ekklisia-gia-tin-orthodoxi-ekklisia-sti-voreia-makedonia/ [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

28. Neárchou P. The delusions of the Prespa agreement: Greece must demonstrate imperative prudence, foresight and risk prevention. Huffington Post. 2021. November 9. URL: https://www.huffingtonpost.gr/entry/oi-aetapates-tes-semfonias-ton-prespon_gr_618a1c49e4b087e2ef9c33cd [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

29. New «conflicts about the past» in the Balkans: The two Balkan tensions have occupied the news in recent months). Huffington Post. 2022. January 1. Available from: https://www.huffingtonpost.gr/entry/nees-seykroeseis-yia-to-parelthon-sta-valkania_gr_61f789cbe4b04f9a12bf2f4c [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

30. Nikolaḯdis K. History of Hellenism, its centres and bases in Macedonia. Kateríni: Máti, 2012. 736 p. (in Greek).

31. Ntásios N. Macedonian Language Center in Florina? Why it’s a bad omen. Huffington Post. 2022. December 1. Available from: https://www.huffingtonpost.gr/entry/kentro-makedonikes-ylossas-ste-florina-yiati-einai-ena-kako-promenema_gr_638713a9e4b06ef4a549e044 [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

32. Panagópoulos A. The church of North Macedonia and other issues. Huffington Post. 2022. June 26. Available from: https://www.huffingtonpost.gr/entry/e-ekklesia-tes-voreias-makedonias-kai-alla-themata_gr_62a87c8ce4b0cf43c84ea605 [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

33. Papagaryfállou P. Macedonia in the grip of the Third International and the KKE 1919 – 1949. Athína: Pelasgós, 2013. 448 p. (in Greek).

34. Papantóni A. D. Macedonia: Campaigns for the naming of Skopje. Ert News. 2020. June 6. Available from: https://www.ertnews.gr/perifereiakoi-stathmoi/kozani/d-makedonia-syllalitiria-gia-tin-onomasia-ton-skopion-3/ [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

35. Schismatic Bishop of Skopje: The Patriarchate is lying about our (pseudo) Church). Tribune.gr. 2018. June 2. Available from: https://www.tribune.gr/religion/news/article/472494/skopianos-schismatikos-episkopos-leei-psemmata-to-patriarcheio-gia-tin-pseydo-ekklisia-mas.html [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

36. In North Macedonia, the «Macedonian» Church hopes for recognition from the Fanari. Tribune.gr. 2019. February 22. Available from: https://www.tribune.gr/religion/news/article/554949/sti-voreia-makedonia-i-makedoniki-ekklisia-elpizei-se-anagnorisi-apo-to-fanari.html [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

37. Sfétas S. The mutations of Macedonian. The long road to Prespes. Athína: Ekdóseis I. Sidéris, 2018. 256 p. (in Greek).

38. Identities in Macedonia / eds. V. Goúnaris I. Michailídis, G. Angelópoulos. Athína: Ekdóseis Papazísi, 1997. 262 p. (in Greek).

39. Final of «Macedonian Church» - The schismatics ask to be recognized as the Archdiocese of Achrid. Tribune.gr. 2020. January 13. Available from: https://www.tribune.gr/religion/news/article/635475/telos-i-makedoniki-ekklisia-oi-schismatikoi-zitane-na-anagnoristoyn-os-archiepiskopi-achridas.html [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

40. Fleischer C. Politics alters historical memory. Kathimerini. 2002. February 3. Available from: https://www.kathimerini.gr/society/110262/h-politiki-alloionei-tin-istoriki-mnimi/ [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).

41. Cholévas I. The Greek Slavic speakers of Macedonia. Athína: Pelasgós, 1999. 389 р. (in Greek).

42. Resolution of the Metropolitans of Western Macedonia. Orthodoxia. 2018. January 19. Available from: https://orthodoxia.info/news/ierárches-dyt-makedonías-i-istoría-ti/ [Accessed 02 February 2023] (in Greek).