SKOPJE, Macedonia - Civil servants on strike blocked Skopje's main streets and junctions Friday, paralyzing traffic. The demonstrators also cut off access to the capital's airport, forcing delays to all takeoffs.

 

Some 70,000 public sector employees including teachers and physicians have been striking since Monday, demanding higher salaries.

 

The protesters want the government to pay them at least 6,300 denars (dlrs 90) a month, an increase of 1,400 denars (dlrs 20) per month. The average monthly salary in Macedonia is 8,400 denars (dlrs 120).

 

The strike was launched after union talks with the government hit an impasse over the wage issue.

 

Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski denounced the strike Friday, calling it a political move to challenge his government.

 

Earlier, he pleaded with the workers to halt the strike until "sensitive credit negotiations" with the International Monetary Fund had been concluded, something that's expected next week. He also promised to create a plan that would raise the pay of public sector employees.

 

Georgievski's government has accepted strict guidelines by the IMF as part of an economic recovery plan and is under pressure not to exceed its budget.

Macedonia's already fragile economy was further damaged by a six-month ethnic conflict last year. Desperate for international help for reconstruction, Macedonia must act according to the IMF's guidelines to qualify for dlrs 173 million to cover a budget deficit forecast for 2002.

 

Vanco Muratovski, an official of the state employees' union, said the strike would continue until the government fulfilled the workers' demands.

 

 

 

Macedonian Parliament will hold an urgent session on Monday regarding the draft-declaration on the situation at part of Macedonian northern border towards Yugoslavia, submitted by Cedomir Kraljevski from VMRO-DPMNE, Slobodan Danevski from Liberal Party, Risto Spanakov from New Democracy and Nikola Popovski from the Social Democratic League of Macedonia.

 

More than 80 deputies supported the draft-declaration so Parliament's Speaker Stojan Andov believes that the session should be held on Monday as the signatures reflect the mood in the Parliament, which according to the number of deputies that stand behind it, is dominant.

 

For Andov the draft-declaration has very moderate and good text. According to him it is necessary to adopt this declaration "in order to show that we really want to implement Framework Agreement."

 

He thinks that the Parliament should adopt a position regarding that matter and to put it aside in order not to interfere with the session scheduled on May 29, whereat the package of election laws arising from Framework Agreement would be discussed.

 

Andov does not see a reason the deputies of the Albanian political block not to support the declaration. He expressed assurance that they would vote in favour of it, as the issue on state border is the most important one.

 

EU special envoy Alain Le Roy and US Ambassador to Macedonia Lawrence Butler, who had a meeting with Andov focused on the draft-declaration, consider it as moderate document and think that it is good such document to be adopted by the Parliament.

 

Prior to the parliamentary session, the Committee on Foreign Policy will also review the declaration. At Friday's session of the Committee it was decided the draft-declaration to e discussed on Monday in the presence of its submitters.

 

The draft declaration once again asks the Assembly to conclude that the borders of the Republic of Macedonia with all neighboring countries have been clearly defined, along with international bilateral agreements, with no disputable issues by neither of the neighboring countries.

 

"The Assembly is on the opinion that the opening of the issue of validity of the northern border towards Kosovo by a subject, which is a UN protectorate, passed on May 23, 2002, is an opening of a issue for determination of inter-state relations by an entity that does not have an internationally recognised state-legal subjectivity", the draft declaration states.

 

It is also stated that the Macedonian Assembly "firmly rejects the Resolution of the representative body of the temporary institutions in Kosovo, which is a well-thought blow on the implementation process of the Framework Agreement, as well as preparation for creation of presumptions for future rearrangement of border relations".

 

 

 

"The Cabinet of Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski thinks that with the adoption of the resolution, Kosovo Parliament sends bad political signal to the extremist groups that are obviously present in the bordering areas," Stevo Pendarovski, advisor of national security to President Trajkovski said Friday.

 

These groups, according to Pendarovski, "can sense that in the situation of undefined border line and opened border to Macedonia they will have easier entrance on our territory and can raise the issue on the legitimacy of Delineation Agreement between Macedonia and Yugoslavia."

 

According to Pendarovski the issue on the norther border is closed, and its legal validity has been confirmed on highest level.

 

"The statement by UNMIK's Head Michael Steiner is what we looked for - legal nullification of the resolution. It is the maximum that could have been done in legal terms. It is expected UN Security Council to held a special session on Kosovo during the day," Pendarovski said.

 

He said that this resolution could not postpone the border demarcation as Macedonian Ambassador to UN Srgjan Kerim would seek Friday in New York a collective support for physical demarcation of the northern border and the established Committee to start the demarcation of the Macedonian -Yugoslav border from the junction with Bulgaria.

 

"If everything is carried out according to the plan and if there is political willingness the demarcation should begin soon near Kosovo, from the other side of Presevo Valley. It is planed the demarcation process to last two years," Pendarovski said.

 

"So far we only received verbal support, and now we request this process to be accelerated. We think that in that way the resolution of Kosovo Parliament would not be purposeful," Pendarovski said.

 

 

 

Traditional manifestation "Macedonia in honor of St. Kiril" attended by Macedonian state delegation including the Minister of culture Ganka Samoilovska-Cvetanova, metropolitan of Polog and Kumanovo Kiril and the metropolitan of Debar and Kicevo Timotej ended Friday with a formal prayer on St. Kiril's grave at the "St. Kliment" church in Rome.

 

Metropolitan Kiril said that all Macedonians in the country and in the diaspora celebrate the holiday of the apostles, saints Kiril and Metodij, the day of the founders and patrons of the Macedonian and Slavic literacy, education, culture who spread the Christianity in all Slavic countries.

 

During the sermon we prayed for peace and welfare in Macedonia, he added.

 

This is the 35th time that Macedonia marks the "Macedonia in honor of St. Kiril" manifestation after the MOC gained autocephality.

 

This year's manifestation started on Wednesday with the concert of the church chamber chorus "St. Kliment Ohridski" at the "Santa Maria de la Konkoladioni" church.

 

Minister Samoilova-Cvetanovska visited the national museum of folklore arts in Rome where she opened the exhibit "Macedonia - different and casual."

Macedonia celebrates with special respect May 24 - Day of Slav Educators - Brothers Kiril and Metodij from Thessaloniki as an acknowledgment to their engagement for the development of the Macedonian culture.

 

Celebration of the patron saints of the Skopje University and the Day of Slavic educators, the Saints Cyril and Methodius started with traditional granting of awards to the best graduates in the 2000-2001 school year and diplomas to the pensioned professors.

 

The Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, His Holiness Stefan held religious service in front of the monument of SS. Cyril and Methodius and flowers were laid afterwards.

 

On the occasion of May 24- The Day of Slavic Educators Cyril and Methodius, and the patron holiday of University "Ss. Cyril and Methodius", a formal academy in the Skopje Army Hall was held this evening.

 

Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski, Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski, Assembly Chairman Stojan Andov, Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia Stefan, Government Ministers, MANU Chairman, academic Mateja Matevski, renowned academics, university professors and members of the diplomatic corps in the country attended the ceremony.

 

After the performance of the Macedonian national anthem, of the University "Ss. Cyril and Methodius", as well as academic hymn "Gaudeamus", University Rector Aleksandar Ancevski greeted the present.

 

Rector Ancevski stressed "thanks to the unbreakable will and wish of the educators, the Slavic peoples stepped towards an unstoppable growth and cultural prosperity".

 

Ancevski emphasised that the Macedonian University, which bears the name of the Slavic educators "follows their path, strives towards keeping the mutual core of scientists and students, thus nurturing universal values". He added, "the University is a dignified follower of its own roots, with a 35-year path, filled with distinguished results".

 

Referring to the introduction of the European credit transfer system, the Rector of the University said, "this will be a new page in the education system, which will provide a dynamic and flexible study system in a wider framework, as well as challenge that needs to integrate the University into the European education process".

 

At the ceremony, this year's winner of the international award "Balkanika", writer Venko Andonovski for his novel "Navel of the World", was given a special plaque.

 

Students of the Faculty of Drama Art from Skopje recited verses by Macedonian poet Mihail Rendzov. The verses were selected by the assistant professor at the Faculty Valentina Bozinovska from Rendzov's book "Psalms".

 

In the framework of the program, the 3rd year student at the Skopje Faculty of Music Arts Ivo Nasteski performed "Vokaliza" by Sergei Rachmaninov, along with an exhibition by the students at the Faculty of Arts and the Architectonic Faculty.

 

 

Bulgaria Marks Day of Slav Letters, Bulgarian Culture.

 

Sofia, May 24 (BTA) - Bulgaria celebrates Friday the Day of Bulgarian Culture and of the Slav Alphabet and its creators brothers Cyril and Methodius. Pope John Paul II, who arrived on a visit here on Thursday, attended some of the celebrations.

 

"Let's celebrate together and honour the legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius," said Bulgarian Patriarch Maxim who officiated a solemn prayer at the Alexander Nevski Cathedral.

 

Students and teachers, politicians, MPs and cultural figures joined a procession through downtown Sofia. President Georgi Purvanov was also involved in the procession and he gave a speech in front of the Cyril and Methodius monument.

 

He described the holiday as the most beautiful, the most quintessentially Bulgarian and most dear to every Bulgarian regardless of his/hers whereabouts in the world.

 

This is a genuine holiday that has been its status not through decrees but through the enthusiasm of a waking nation long before the Bulgarian state was resurrected after century-long foreign rule. This is the holiday of all Bulgarian artists, teachers and most of all of the Bulgarian spirit, Purvanov said.

 

He noted that the work of Cyril and Methodius is of huge national importance but that it is also one of the most significant events in the history of Slav cultural and community.

 

Purvanov said he is concerned about the state of Bulgarian cultural and historic heritage and of Bulgarian education. The politicians should attack head on the problems of the spiritual sphere, he said. This means the laws that would stimulate Bulgarian science and education should be on the agenda of parliament, of the executive and of all institutions, he said.

 

The arrival at the site of the monument of Pope John Paul II was greeted with applause. He was met by Purvanov, Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, parliamentary speaker Ognyan Gerdjikov, government officials, university professors and member of the public.

 

Purvanov, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Gerdjikov and St Kliment Ohridki University rector Boyan Biolchev greeted the Pope in person.

 

Earlier in the day, Patriarch Maxim, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and parliamentary deputy speaker Blagovest Sendov laid a wreath at the monument.

 

 

 

Pope Tells President Purvanov He Never Believed in Bulgarian Connection.

 

Sofia, May 24 (BTA) - During his one-to-one meeting with Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov, Pope John Paul II said he had never believed in the so called "Bulgarian connection" in the 1981 attempt on his life, said Joachim Navaro Vals, Holy See's Press Office head.,

 

He said the Pope's words can be interpreted as part of the joint statement by the press secretariat of the Bulgarian head of state and by the Holy See's press office director which Joachim Navaro Vals read out.

 

During the meeting, Purvanov expressed his deep admiration and paid tribute to the Pontiff's active role to strengthen peace in the world, to create a more just society and intensify the dialogue and understanding between religious faiths and nations.

 

Purvanov emphasized the respect that the Bulgarian people feel towards the Pope which makes impossible any participation on Bulgaria' part in the assassination attempt, the joint statement said.

 

The two sides underscored the intransient significance of the spiritual legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius. The Pope confirmed that he has always loved the Bulgarian people and he values highly the country's cultural and spiritual traditions and expressed support for the ethnic and religious model in the country, for Bulgaria's efforts to build a truly democratic society which respects human rights.

 

The two sides confirmed the importance of observing the principles of freedom of worship and of conscience as the mainstays of democracy. A common will to further develop bilateral relations in the social, humanitarian, scientific and cultural spheres was expressed and the readiness of both sides to prepare an agreement between Bulgaria and the Holy See on this matter was underscored.

 

The two sides condemned racism, xenophobia and ethnic intolerance and urged active measures to counter terrorism, organized crime, drug and human trafficking, child pornography and labour.

 

Globalization should be accompanied by solidarity to prevent the divide between the rich and the poor states from widening, the statement said. Human kind should seek solutions for the negative fallouts from globalization which include poverty, unemployment and illiteracy.

 

The two sides exchanged views on peace in Europe, security and cooperation.

 

It was noted that each European state should contribute to the building of a common European home where each nation can share its cultural, spiritual and religious wealth. The historic role of Christian churches in the building of new Europe was noted in that respect.

 

The Pope expressed support for Bulgaria's ambition to join the EU, to make a contribution with its history and culture which were conditioned to a large extent by Christianity. He stressed the European dimension of Bulgarian culture, of Bulgarian historic and spiritual legacy as well as the significance of Bulgaria as a bridge between the West and the East.

 

The two sides expressed satisfaction with the peace and stabilization of Southeast Europe and especially of the Western Balkans. Conditions are being created to turn the region into a haven of peace, freedom and understanding, the statement said, noting that Bulgaria is an integral part of Europe. The two sides were unanimous that all that is necessary should be done for the integration of the region in the EU as soon as possible and for its economic and social development.

 

The two sides expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in the Middle East. It was noted that all violence should end immediately, that Israeli-Palestinian talks should resume as soon as possible and with the combined efforts of the two sides and with the support of the international community a comprehensive, fair and lasting solution should be found to the conflict.

 

A common conviction was expressed that peace negotiations are the one way to solve the Arab-Israeli conflicts on the basis of the land-for-peace formula and the UN Security Council resolutions while guarantying the right of each state in the region to live in peace and security within internationally recognized borders.

 

Purvanov gifted to the Pope an icon depicting brothers Cyril and Methodius, who devised the Cyrillic alphabet, and their five most distinguished disciples. The icon was crafted by Asen Hadjikostov and Toshko Marinov, locals of Stara Zagora, BTA was told by the presidential press secretariat.

 

The Pope reciprocated by presenting Purvanov with a mosaic depicting the Madonna and Child with the inscription "Salus populi romani".

 

 

Reuters
By Sean Maguire

 

SOFIA (Reuters) - Pope John Paul cleared Bulgaria on Friday of any link to the attempt to assassinate him in 1981, rebuffing years of speculation the Balkan state was tied to Turkish gunman Mehmet Ali Agca in a communist conspiracy.

 

The Pope's statement after a meeting with President Georgi Parvanov on the second day of his trip to the ex-communist state was music to the ears of Bulgarians, who have long felt unfairly accused of plotting to murder the Polish-born Pontiff.

 

"Now I can say that the Holy Father at the meeting with the president expressed his view on the topic. He literally said 'I never believed in the so-called Bulgarian connection'," Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls told reporters.

 

Agca, who shot the Pope in St. Peter's Square on May 13, 1981, alleged he was commissioned to do so by the Bulgarian secret service acting on the orders of the Soviet KGB, which feared the Pontiff would stir anti-Communist revolt.

 

Three Turks and three Bulgarians charged with conspiring with Agca were acquitted by an Italian court for lack of evidence. But the Bulgarian link was never conclusively put to rest and still exercises conspiracy theorists.

 

The shooting nearly killed the Pope, now 82, and was the start of his slow decline in health. He is now visibly frail, suffering from Parkinson's disease that restricts his mobility, impedes his speech and makes one hand tremble uncontrollably.

 

The Pope's words cleared the air before he paid homage to Bulgaria's 1,100-year-old Orthodox culture on the feast day of St. Cyril and St. Methodius, 9th century scripture translators and fathers of the Cyrillic alphabet still used by many Slavs.

 

The pair are considered the patron saints of Bulgaria for their role in converting the population to Christianity.

 

GREAT DIVISIONS.

 

The Pope has repeated his call for the two great divisions of Christianity to be healed, returning to a hope he has expressed with increased fervor since his trip to Romania, his first to an Orthodox country, in 1999.

 

The church split into Eastern and Western rites in 1054.

 

Bulgarian Orthodox Christian leaders have given a cordial but not effusive welcome to the Pope, reflecting the suspicion the eastern rite of Christianity feels toward Roman Catholicism, which some of them say is stealing their flock.

 

Some 80 percent of Bulgaria's eight million people are Orthodox and only 80,000 are Roman Catholics.

 

On Sunday, the last day of a five-day two nation tour that started in Azerbaijan, the Pope travels to the heartland of the Catholic community around the central city of Plovdiv. Mass there will be the finale of his 96th official foreign trip.

 

Organizers will be hoping for larger crowds in Plovdiv than have turned out in Sofia. Stern warnings about security have disheartened ordinary Bulgarians who have preferred to leave the city for the weekend rather than greet the Pope.

 

On Friday the Pope looked reasonably alert as he met Parvanov, toured the gold-domed St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Bulgaria's biggest church, and laid a wreath at the monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius.

 

Later the Pope meets Patriarch Maxim, head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, leaders of the one million Bulgarian Muslims and representatives of the country's tiny Jewish community, numbering 7-8,000.

 

The Pope has praised Bulgaria for its religious tolerance, its efforts to save Jews from the Nazi Holocaust during World War Two and for its fortitude during the economically difficult transition from central planning to a market economy.

 

Bulgaria is still desperately poor nearly 13 years after communism ended, with average wages less than $150 a month. The Pope has backed Sofia's European Union membership drive, saying Bulgaria could be a bridge connecting East and West.

 

 

 

At First Ever Meeting between Bulgarian Patriarch and Roman Pontiff, Pope John Paul II Donates Church in Rome to Orthodox Church.

 

Sofia, May 24 (BTA) - Patriarch Maksim and Pope John Paul II conferred for more than 40 minutes here Friday in the first ever meeting between a Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and a Roman Pontiff. The Head of the Roman Catholic Church arrived on an official visit and Apostolic Journey to Bulgaria on Thursday.

 

At the meeting, which took place at the Holy Synod headquarters in central Sofia, the two spiritual leaders read addresses in which both mentioned the Feast Day of Sts Cyril and Methodius, which is celebrated on Friday, Walter Kasper, Cardinal President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU), said after the meeting. Cardinal Kasper made a statement for the press on behalf of the Holy See.

 

"We welcome you and the delegation that accompanies you to the land of Bulgaria and to the ancient Bulgarian capital Sofia, which bears the name of the Holy Wisdom of God," Patriarch Maksim of Bulgaria told Pope John Paul II as they met at the Holy Synod.

 

"Before the official conversion of the Slav-Bulgarian people to Christianity, this God-saved city was honoured to welcome apostolic successors in the person of the bishops attending the Council of Sardica in 343, which confirmed the principal dogma of the Church of Christ: the belief in the Triune God," the Head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church noted.

 

He noted that the true-believing Bulgarian people was born in the bosom of the Christian faith and has used it to regenerate spiritually and survive down the ages. "With pure faith and knowledge of God, the Holy Isapostolic Brothers Cyril and Methodius and their devout disciples, during the reign of the God-wise King Boris-Mihail, Christianizer of the Bulgarian People, dawned on the soils and hearts of Slavdom thirsting for true evangelical spiritual enlightenment," the Patriarch said.

 

"Bulgaria remained loyal to the testament of Cyril and Methodius. This is the stake and the power of today's celebration, entered in the calendar of church and people as Day of Bulgarian Education and Culture and of Slav Letters," Maksim said.

 

He thanked for the opportunity affored to envoys of Bulgaria, religious dignitaries and cultural figures, to pay homage to the tomb of St Constantine Cyril, the Slav Bulgarian Enlightener, in Rome annually on the occasion of May 24.

 

"Your visit here will enable you to familiarize yourself with the legacy of the great cause of the brothers Cyril and Methodius, which is reverently preserved in our church and has been incarnated in the souls of our devout people," the Patriarch told the guest.

 

Maksim noted that, alongside the day's festive celebrations, the sad fact that the West seceded from the East in the mid-11th century cannot be ignored.

 

"Still, we are convinced that Christ's sacrificial love is strong and patient and expects everybody to come to achieve knowledge of the truth which has been preserved and is professed in the Holy Orthodox Church," the Bulgarian spiritual leader said.

 

"Aware of our duty as bearers of the light of Jesus, we make steady efforts towards affirmation of truth and justice, preservation of the values of human culture and civilization, and establishment of peace on earth and good will among men," he said.

 

Calling on everybody to follow this road of salvation mapped out by the Lord, Patriarch Maksim concluded his address by the greeting, "Christ Is Risen!"

 

In his address, Pope John Paul II said: "I am happy to meet with you today, 24 May. [?] Today the Lord enables us to meet personally and to exchange 'the kiss of peace'." "This first time in history that a Bishop of Rome visits this land and meets you and the Holy Synod is rightly a moment of joy, because it is a sign of a gradual growth in ecclesial communion," the Pontiff observed. "I come to you with a sense of esteem for the mission which the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria is undertaking, and I wish to express my respect and appreciation for your commitment to the good of the people of this land."

 

"Christ our Lord founded a single Church, while we today appear to the world divided, as if Christ himself were divided. 'Such division openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages that most holy cause, the preaching of the Gospel to every creature' (Decree on Ecumenism, Unitatis Redintegratio, 1), the Holy Father said. In his words, " the estrangement between Catholics and Orthodox has never extinguished in them the desire to restore full ecclesial communion, so that the unity for which the Lord prayed to the Father might be manifested more clearly. Today we can give thanks to God that the bonds between us have been much strengthened."

 

"In broaching this theme, we cannot fail to look to the example of unity offered in the first millennium in very concrete ways by the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, whose memory in your land is so vivid and legacy so profoundly felt. Their witness is relevant even to those who, in the field of politics, are working to bring about European unification. In searching for its own identity, the Continent cannot but return to its Christian roots. The whole of Europe, both West and East, expects Catholics and Orthodox to work together for the defence of peace and justice, human rights and the culture of life," the Pope said.

 

"The example of Saints Cyril and Methodius is above all emblematic for the unity of Christians in the one Church of Christ. They were sent to Eastern Europe by the Patriarch of Constantinople in order to bring the true faith to the Slav peoples in their own tongue; and in the face of obstacles placed on that path by the neighbouring Western dioceses, which claimed that it was their responsibility to bring the Cross of Christ to the Slav countries, they came to the Pope in order to have their mission confirmed (cf. Encyclical Epistle, Slavorum Apostoli, 5). For us, therefore, they are as it were 'the connecting links or spiritual bridge between the Eastern and Western traditions, which both come together in the one great Tradition of the universal Church. For us they are the champions and also the patrons of the ecumenical endeavour of the sister Churches of East and West, for the rediscovery through prayer and dialogue of visible unity in perfect and total communion, 'the unity which...is neither absorption or fusion', [but which] is a meeting in truth and love, granted to us by the Spirit' (ibid., 27)," the Pope observed in his address.

 

"As we meet today, I am glad to recall the many contacts between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria, beginning with the Second Vatican Council, to which the latter sent observers. I am confident that these direct contacts, which happily have increased in recent years, will also have a positive impact on the theological dialogue in which Catholic and Orthodox are involved through the relevant Mixed International Commission," John Paul II said.

 

As a token of willingness to deepen the contacts between the Catholic Church and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the Pope offered the Bulgarian Orthodox community in Rome for their worship the use of the Church of Sts Vincent and Anastasius at the Trevi Fountain and presented, as a gift to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, a famous relic of St Dasius, a martyred Roman soldier slain at Durosturum (now Silistra, Northeastern Bulgaria) circa AD 300. The relic was requested by the Holy Synod after the Fifth Council of Clergy and Laity at the end of 2001 restored the Metropolitan See of Silistra. For the time being, the relic will be preserved at the Holy Synod chapel.

 

Cardinal Kasper described Orthodox-Catholic relations as intensive and expressed the hope that they will deepen. "The dialogue between the two churches is very important for the future integration of Europe," he said.

 

"Certainly, we should realize that the differences between the Orthodox and the Catholic Churches are not that deep, that far more things bring us together," Cardinal Kapser said. In his opinion, the two churches have a common task to "re-discover the Christian roots in Europe."

 

Asked about his idea of the ways the two churches could narrow the gap between them, the PCPCU Cardinal President answered that there are two ways: oecumenism in truth and in love.

 

A future visit of the Patriarch to Rome was not discussed at the meeting, the Cardinal also said.

 

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church presented to the Pope an icon of Prince Boris I Christianizer of the Bulgarian People. "The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has always been desirous of communion," Metropolitan Neofit of Rousse said, speaking on behalf of the Holy Synod. Asked whether this meeting can be seen as an important step towards the unity of the two churches, the Metropolitan answered: "The Catholic Church hardly has a special interest in achieving unity first with the Bulgarian Orthodox Church."

 

"Patriarch Maksim's wish was to call on the Catholic world to take bolder steps towards increasing closeness with Orthodoxy," Metropolitan Neofit said.

 

"This meeting was a meeting of goodwill, ushering in a new closeness and friendship. The questions of faith can be discussed precisely in a friendly atmosphere and milieu," the Metropolitan stressed. "The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has always been desirous of communion, but along lines of friendship through the churches," he went on to say.

 

In his opinion, the Catholic Church should conduct the dialogue and pursue a future increase of closeness with the official representatives of the Orthodox Churches.

 

At the end of the meeting, the Pope and the Patriarch had a brief informal conversation in Russian. The guests were treated to Troyan plum brandy, coffee and nuts.

 

 

 

 

Patriarch Maksim and Pope John Paul II conferred for more than 40 minutes here Friday in the first ever meeting between a Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and a Roman Pontiff. The Head of the Roman Catholic Church arrived on an official visit and Apostolic Journey to Bulgaria on Thursday. At the meeting, which took place at the Holy Synod headquarters in central Sofia, the two spiritual leaders read addresses in which both mentioned the Feast Day of Sts Cyril and Methodius, which is celebrated on Friday, Walter Kasper, Cardinal President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU), said after the meeting. Cardinal Kasper made a statement for the press on behalf of the Holy See. "We welcome you and the delegation that accompanies you to the land of Bulgaria and to the ancient Bulgarian capital Sofia, which bears the name of the Holy Wisdom of God," Patriarch Maksim of Bulgaria told Pope John Paul II as they met at the Holy Synod. "Before the official conversion of the Slav-Bulgarian people to Christianity, this God-saved city was honoured to welcome apostolic successors in the person of the bishops attending the Council of Sardica in 343, which confirmed the principal dogma of the Church of Christ: the belief in the Triune God," the Head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church noted. He noted that the true-believing Bulgarian people was born in the bosom of the Christian faith and has used it to regenerate spiritually and survive down the ages. "With pure faith and knowledge of God, the Holy Isapostolic Brothers Cyril and Methodius and their devout disciples, during the reign of the God-wise King Boris-Mihail, Christianizer of the Bulgarian People, dawned on the soils and hearts of Slavdom thirsting for true evangelical spiritual enlightenment," the Patriarch said. "Bulgaria remained loyal to the testament of Cyril and Methodius. This is the stake and the power of today's celebration, entered in the calendar of church and people as Day of Bulgarian Education and Culture and of Slav Letters," Maksim said. He thanked for the opportunity affored to envoys of Bulgaria, religious dignitaries and cultural figures, to pay homage to the tomb of St Constantine Cyril, the Slav Bulgarian Enlightener, in Rome annually on the occasion of May 24. "Your visit here will enable you to familiarize yourself with the legacy of the great cause of the brothers Cyril and Methodius, which is reverently preserved in our church and has been incarnated in the souls of our devout people," the Patriarch told the guest. Maksim noted that, alongside the day's festive celebrations, the sad fact that the West seceded from the East in the mid-11th century cannot be ignored. "Still, we are convinced that Christ's sacrificial love is strong and patient and expects everybody to come to achieve knowledge of the truth which has been preserved and is professed in the Holy Orthodox Church," the Bulgarian spiritual leader said. "Aware of our duty as bearers of the light of Jesus, we make steady efforts towards affirmation of truth and justice, preservation of the values of human culture and civilization, and establishment of peace on earth and good will among men," he said. Calling on everybody to follow this road of salvation mapped out by the Lord, Patriarch Maksim concluded his address by the greeting, "Christ Is Risen!" In his address, Pope John Paul II said: "I am happy to meet with you today, 24 May. [?] Today the Lord enables us to meet personally and to exchange 'the kiss of peace'." "This first time in history that a Bishop of Rome visits this land and meets you and the Holy Synod is rightly a moment of joy, because it is a sign of a gradual growth in ecclesial communion," the Pontiff observed. "I come to you with a sense of esteem for the mission which the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria is undertaking, and I wish to express my respect and appreciation for your commitment to the good of the people of this land." "Christ our Lord founded a single Church, while we today appear to the world divided, as if Christ himself were divided. 'Such division openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages that most holy cause, the preaching of the Gospel to every creature' (Decree on Ecumenism, Unitatis Redintegratio, 1), the Holy Father said. In his words, " the estrangement between Catholics and Orthodox has never extinguished in them the desire to restore full ecclesial communion, so that the unity for which the Lord prayed to the Father might be manifested more clearly. Today we can give thanks to God that the bonds between us have been much strengthened." "In broaching this theme, we cannot fail to look to the example of unity offered in the first millennium in very concrete ways by the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, whose memory in your land is so vivid and legacy so profoundly felt. Their witness is relevant even to those who, in the field of politics, are working to bring about European unification. In searching for its own identity, the Continent cannot but return to its Christian roots. The whole of Europe, both West and East, expects Catholics and Orthodox to work together for the defence of peace and justice, human rights and the culture of life," the Pope said. "The example of Saints Cyril and Methodius is above all emblematic for the unity of Christians in the one Church of Christ. They were sent to Eastern Europe by the Patriarch of Constantinople in order to bring the true faith to the Slav peoples in their own tongue; and in the face of obstacles placed on that path by the neighbouring Western dioceses, which claimed that it was their responsibility to bring the Cross of Christ to the Slav countries, they came to the Pope in order to have their mission confirmed (cf. Encyclical Epistle, Slavorum Apostoli, 5). For us, therefore, they are as it were 'the connecting links or spiritual bridge between the Eastern and Western traditions, which both come together in the one great Tradition of the universal Church. For us they are the champions and also the patrons of the ecumenical endeavour of the sister Churches of East and West, for the rediscovery through prayer and dialogue of visible unity in perfect and total communion, 'the unity which...is neither absorption or fusion', [but which is a meeting in truth and love, granted to us by the Spirit' (ibid., 27)," the Pope observed in his address. "As we meet today, I am glad to recall the many contacts between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria, beginning with the Second Vatican Council, to which the latter sent observers. I am confident that these direct contacts, which happily have increased in recent years, will also have a positive impact on the theological dialogue in which Catholic and Orthodox are involved through the relevant Mixed International Commission," John Paul II said. As a token of willingness to deepen the contacts between the Catholic Church and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the Pope offered the Bulgarian Orthodox community in Rome for their worship the use of the Church of Sts Vincent and Anastasius at the Trevi Fountain and presented, as a gift to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, a famous relic of St Dasius, a martyred Roman soldier slain at Durosturum (now Silistra, Northeastern Bulgaria) circa AD 300. The relic was requested by the Holy Synod after the Fifth Council of Clergy and Laity at the end of 2001 restored the Metropolitan See of Silistra. For the time being, the relic will be preserved at the Holy Synod chapel. Cardinal Kasper described Orthodox-Catholic relations as intensive and expressed the hope that they will deepen. "The dialogue between the two churches is very important for the future integration of Europe," he said. "Certainly, we should realize that the differences between the Orthodox and the Catholic Churches are not that deep, that far more things bring us together," Cardinal Kapser said. In his opinion, the two churches have a common task to "re-discover the Christian roots in Europe." Asked about his idea of the ways the two churches could narrow the gap between them, the PCPCU Cardinal President answered that there are two ways: oecumenism in truth and in love. A future visit of the Patriarch to Rome was not discussed at the meeting, the Cardinal also said. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church presented to the Pope an icon of Prince Boris I Christianizer of the Bulgarian People. "The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has always been desirous of communion," Metropolitan Neofit of Rousse said, speaking on behalf of the Holy Synod. Asked whether this meeting can be seen as an important step towards the unity of the two churches, the Metropolitan answered: "The Catholic Church hardly has a special interest in achieving unity first with the Bulgarian Orthodox Church." "Patriarch Maksim's wish was to call on the Catholic world to take bolder steps towards increasing closeness with Orthodoxy," Metropolitan Neofit said. "This meeting was a meeting of goodwill, ushering in a new closeness and friendship. The questions of faith can be discussed precisely in a friendly atmosphere and milieu," the Metropolitan stressed. "The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has always been desirous of communion, but along lines of friendship through the churches," he went on to say. In his opinion, the Catholic Church should conduct the dialogue and pursue a future increase of closeness with the official representatives of the Orthodox Churches. At the end of the meeting, the Pope and the Patriarch had a brief informal conversation in Russian. The guests were treated to Troyan plum brandy, coffee and nuts.

 

 

 

Pope Visits Alexander Nevski Cathedral.

 

Sofia, May 24 (BTA) - "We admire your feat, a feat becoming an apostle. God bless you for health, peace and salvation," West and Central European Metropolitan Simeon told Pope John Paul II during the latter's visit to the Alexander Nevski Cathedral on Friday morning. The Pope arrived here on a two-day official visit on Thursday.

 

Metropolitans from the Holy Synod met the Pope in front of the building.

 

Upon his entrance, he blessed the laymen that were in the cathedral at the time.

 

The Pope was then shown around the cathedral. He was moved around on a platform. The Pope was shown the relics of Saint Alexander Nevski and told curious details from the cathedral's history by his hosts.

 

"Welcome to our small but very beautiful country and to our Holy Bulgarian Orthodox Church which has been spreading the word of God in the past 1,300 years or so," Metropolitan Simeon said in his address. Bulgaria is celebrating the Saints Cyril and Methodius whose legacy the Bulgarian people treasure until today, he said.

 

During their time back in the 9th century, the Holy Brothers were a bridge between the East and the West and they should serve today as an example for unity in the Christian faith, Simeon said about the two bothers who have been canonized by the Bulgarian church.

 

He stressed that the Bulgaria Orthodox Church , a good keeper of tradition, has co-existed in peace and love with all Christian churches.

 

Metropolitan Simeon then gifted the Pope an icon of Apostles Peter and Paul on behalf of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

 

"I want to thank you for this hearty welcome," the Pope said. He then signed the guest book and autographed two other books.

 

On his way out, the Pope stopped to bless the icon of the Holy Brothers.

 

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy was also in the cathedral during the papal tour but he stayed away from the official delegation.

 

In front of the cathedral, the Pope was greeted with chants of "We are with you" and "Unity".

 

One of the bodyguards lifted a child and it was blessed by the Pope.

 

 

 

Sofia, May 24 (BTA) - Two decades after the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II's life, in which the Bulgarian secret services were allegedly involved, the Pontiff pays a historic visit ot Bulgaria, the Skopje-based opposition daily "Utrinski Vestnik" wrote in its Thursday issue. The paper notes that the security measures for the papal visit exceed those for the 1999 visit of then US president Bill Clinton.

 

"The Bulgarians gave the Pope a warm welcome but will be glad to see him safely off," the paper notes, adding that the authorities are hellbent on preventing any sort of accidents during the visit and have cordoned off an area in the downtown where the Pope will make a public address.

 

Under the headline "Pope invited by 22,222 Bulgarians: Ambassador Yordanov unhappy with Macedonian media", the paper covers the news conference given by the Bulgarian Embassy in Skopje in connection with the visit.

 

"Bulgarian Ambassador to Macedonia Alexander Yordanov is unhappy that the Macedonian media are not writing about the papal visit and so he called a news conference," the paper writes, quoting Yordanov as saying that it is not accidental that the Pope's visit coincides with May 24, the Day of Slav enlighteners Cyril and Methodius and that the visit is meant to highlight Bulgaria's contribution to the two brothers' achievements. "If God has not forgotten Bulgaria then he has not forgotten Macedonia either," the paper quotes Yordanov as saying.

 

"Pope attends celebrations in Sofia" is the headline of an article in independent daily "Dnevnik". The author notes about Yordanov news conference that when asked why does not Bulgaria recognize the Macedonian minority and language when it is a "haven of peace, freedom and tolerance on the Balkans able to throw a bridge over hatred and ethnic conflicts," he did not reply.

 

Turkish news paper "Zaman" reports that the Pope arrived on Thursday in Bulgaria from Azerbaijan and that it is the first visit to Bulgaria by the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

 

In his speech, the Pope said all world religions urge love, respect and peace among people, the paper notes, adding that the Pontiff will meet with state officials and clergymen during his visit and will attend a liturgy in Plovdiv.

 

The Pope officiated yesterday in Baku a service for the 120 Azerbaijani Catholics, Romanian news paper "Ziua" writes, adding that the Pontiff met in Baku with representatives of various religious faiths before leaving for a two-day visit to Sofia.

 

Most Greek media offer sparse coverage of the papal visit, noting that Sofia hopes the event will improve Bulgaria's image abroad.

 

Pope John Paul II is the first head of the Roman Catholic Church to visit Bulgaria in the country's 13-century history, Athens-based news agency ANA writes. The Pope received an illustrious welcoming ceremony in front of the Alexander Nevski Cathedral attended by members of the public and high-ranking state and otherwise officials. Despite some difficulty with enunciation, the Pope delivered an address in perfect Bulgarian, the agency notes, giving details from the speech in which the Pope underscores the significance of the work of bothers Cyril and Methodius, emphasizes the historic connections between Bulgaria and the Roman Catholic Church and congratulates the country with the democratic changes.

 

The Pope will use his visit to East Orthodox Bulgaria to send a message for unification of the two churches, Thessaloniki-based news agency MPA reports. The 80,000 Bulgarian Catholics were anxiously anticipating the visit of their spiritual leader.

 

Bulgaria hopes the papal visit will improve its image in the West, will steer attention clear of the widespread poverty in the country and will give impetus to the primary goal in Sofia's foreign policy - securing an invitation to join NATO, economic publication "Navtemboriki" writes, noting the less-than-enthusiastic reaction of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church to the papal visit.

 

In an article headlined "Papal visit to Bulgaria ends mistrust", the "Katimerini" news paper writes that the visit is expected to end years of suspicion that Bulgaria was in some way involved in the attempt on the Pope's life carried out by Mehmet Ali Agca on May 13, 1981. The Bulgarian politicians hope the papal visit will improve the country's chances for accession to EU and especially to NATO ahead of the fall summit in Prague, the paper writes.

 

Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha is the first Bulgarian head of government after the fall of Communism in 1989 to take his oath from Patriarch Maxim, "Katimerini" writes, quoting Maxim as saying that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church will receive the Pope in the spirit of traditional Bulgarian hospitality. The paper details the draconian security measures taken in Sofia and Plovdiv for the papal visit and notes the involvement of 27,000 policemen. The paper reports that the security overkill angered the public and that the Bulgarian media criticized the authorities for their excessive diligence.

 

The Greek national radio stresses the deteriorating health of the Pope and notes that he needed a special lift to get off the plane in which he arrived in Sofia.

 

 

The Pope is not bringing part of the relics of Saint Dazius as a gift, because such saint didn't ever exist, Bishop Gelasius said before the Holy Synod, 'Standart' learnt. St. Dazius who lived in the III AC was a bishop in Dorostorum (the town of Silistra). The members of the Holy Synod won't let the Pope be present at todays liturgy in the 'St. Alexander Nevsky' Cathedral, but only after that as an usual tourist. The Greek Orthodox Church advised them not to invite the Pope to lunch or dinner, because in that case they would have to bless the bread and the wine together and that would be an heresy.

 

(PY)

 

In Bourgas 1,200 teachers with crepes went on a rally carrying posters which read: 'Stop Genocide in Education!' Teachers protested against the dismissals announced by the Ministry of Education. At the same time Bishop of Sliven, Joannicius said a prayer for the rescue of the Bulgarian education. Teachers from General Toshevo region protested against the closure of the school in the village of Krasen, closely connected with the name of famous Bulgarian writer Yordan Yovkov. Instead of a festive parade the staff of 7 schools and 7 kindergartens gathered at a protesting rally in front of the mayor's office. Students from 5th school in Blagoevgrad organized a rally against the decision of the Ministry of Education to close the vocational classes in their school. The majorettes from the city students brass band joined the protest.

 

(PY)

 

 

Eli Dimova

 

Prosecution investigates Bourgas strikers, who smashed the car of their colleague.

 

On Thursday, Transport Minister Plamen Petrov terminated the negotiations with representatives of Bourgas dockers on strike for he was in a hurry to meet Pope John Paul II, said Zhivko Atanassov, chairing the strike committee and participant in the negotiations that lasted for more than 5 hours. The dockers are striking for a fourth day already. They ask for higher salaries, canceling the downsizing and the resignations of the two CEOs of Port Bourgas Krassen Balev and Borislav Botev. They also insist that 850 colleagues of theirs who were fired because of the strike to be reinstated in their working places. Today the file with papers incriminating the two CEOs of Port Bourgas in misprisions in office will be ready. In the meanwhile, it transpired that some of the strikers were investigated by prosecution. To the managers of the Port, the investigated strikers smashed the car of a colleague of theirs for strikebreaking.