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#1 |
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Skopje-Solun
Posts: 367
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Let's make this topic a sticky, and only use it to post articles WITH LINKS that are relevant to our churches being robbed, broken into, and vandalized.
Let's try to keep this topic open ONLY for posting articles, leaving the discussion to other topics. By leaving discussion out of it, we make it much easier for people to see the information for themselves, and not bury it in 1,000 pages of forum chat. Thanks guys! |
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#2 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 7,309
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Barbarism and the Erasure of Culture
The destruction of Sveti Anastasi by Christopher Deliso August 24, 2001 http://www.antiwar.com/orig/deliso2.html When the revered fourteenth-century Monastery of Sveti Anastasi in Leshok was blown up earlier this week, Macedonian Government Spokesman Antonio Milososki summarized the event concisely: "This," he said, "is barbarism." Milososki's simple statement captured the essence of the matter: that the destruction of such a historical and cultural treasure as the Leshok Monastery was an act that could only be described as barbaric, a thoughtless, misanthropic destruction of a unique and irreplaceable piece of the common European heritage. Yet for all its ignorance, this act meant something more than a bunch of unemployed young terrorists playing with explosives (though such individuals no doubt executed the destruction). It was a deliberate attempt to erase any trace of Macedonia's historical continuity, to wipe the presence of the past clear off the map. As such, the destruction of the Leshok Monastery was a calculated attempt by Albanian terrorists to exert their territorial dominance, by obliterating a valuable part of Macedonian heritage, a treasure of art and religion that had been listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. This is not the first time such a thing has happened. In the dark aftermath of the Kosovo bombings by NATO occurred the wholesale destruction and desecration of over seventy-five Orthodox churches and monasteries (and this only between June-October 1999)! Unsurprisingly, over one-quarter of these churches were located in the zone under control of the U.S. (we have to forgive American laziness, though – after all, Camp Bondsteel has that great espresso bar and gym). Together with the forced removal and intimidation of the Serbian people from Kosovo, the policy of destruction of Orthodox churches was undertaken by the KLA so as to strengthen Albanian claims to Kosovo. By forcing Serbs to leave their ancestral homeland, and then destroying all traces of Serbian culture, the Albanians would have a stronger case for claiming the 'ethnic purity' of Kosovo, and so, uniting it with Albania. The same pattern is being repeated in Macedonia, which should come as no surprise, since the NLA is basically the KLA rechristened. Even before Leshok, Albanian strongmen have been attacking Orthodox monasteries in Macedonia, occupying and desecrating one in early May near Kumanovo. The purpose of this intimidation and barbarism is both psychological (intended to demoralize and wound the Macedonian people), and tangible: that is, the 'cleansing' of the monastery from the hills of Leshok is a precursor to the ethnic cleansing of the Macedonian people in the area. No Casualties – Only Macedonia's Cultural Heritage Although the destruction of Leshok Monastery has triggered a firestorm of protest, the dust will soon settle and eventually, as has already happened in Kosovo, Western observers will forget. They will forget that what was destroyed was priceless, to scholars, travelers – and, most importantly, to the people of Orthodox faith who loved these structures, which attested to the genius and creativity of previous generations. The ignorant destruction of Leshok Monastery is a loss not only to the cultural heritage of Macedonia, but to Europe, and indeed, to the whole world. Part of the reason that people will forget is that no one was killed in the mining of Leshok. But since no one died in their destruction, the 'world community' could only throw up its hands in despair, UNESCO could only plead in vain, designs. The point is, no one cared too much because there were no fatalities. Yet at work here was a subtler form of 'ethnic cleansing'; the erasure of a whole culture, its legacy and its history, which could not possibly have posed a threat to the Albanians. If the NLA is not motivated by religion, per se, than what can explain their tactics? Basically, it is the desire (as seen in Kosovo) to deny the existence of another culture; but here, unlike in Afghanistan, it is done merely to exert territorial control. After enough Macedonians have been driven from their homes, and enough signs of Macedonian culture have been obliterated, the Albanians will press their case more strongly. "We have a right to keep this land," they'll argue. "Look, there are no Macedonians here!" The cultural forgetting that inevitably follows such acts greatly empowers what I call the lazy man's barbarism – a creeping, sinister sort of barbarism that spreads slowly until the common perception of reality (i.e., the status quo) has been eroded and transformed into a different reality, one more amenable to the barbarians. As such, the Albanian destruction and desecration of Orthodox monasteries and churches in the Balkans has less to do with religious fanaticism and more to do with erasing the traces of Slavic culture, so as to press their territorial claims. Almost no one except the English-speaking media still believes the statements of the NLA, that they are fighting for equal rights and not territory. It is now even being admitted by these same news sources that Western journalists are much more likely to interview Albanians than Macedonians, and that the NLA has effectively been legitimized by its PR work. Of course, its tireless advocates in Washington have been hard at work in trumpeting the need for the alleged 'human rights' agenda of the NLA to be met. Little wonder. There's no need to recite the litany of violations and deceptions perpetrated by the U.S. government as it has surreptitiously changed the status quo in the last few months, from Aracinovo and Prizren, to the blocking of Ukrainian aid to the recent installation of a no-fly zone for the Macedonians on their own territory. A recent account of one eyewitness in Tetovo says it all: "The sight of the U.S. choppers prompted the ethnic Albanian villagers to cheer wildly, waving their arms to encourage 'their' airforce." The same observer was greeted by the NLA with the shout of "God bless America and Canada too for all that they have provided us!" After being shown the 'impressive arsenal' of the local NLA unit, this observer was told, "Thanks to Uncle Sam, the Macedonians are no match for us." Another Albanian was quoted in Skopje with the same belief: "I know the big powers are on our side," he said with certainty. "I would love for them (NATO) to be here for twenty years." Twenty years is certainly more than enough time for the world to forget about Leshok. By failing to prevent such an outrage against the very principles of the civilized world, the West betrays its tacit complicity in this barbarism. It should come as no surprise that the U.S. has tolerated the KLA/NLA's ignorant but purposeful policy of the destruction of culture.And the U.S. is without a doubt the most barbaric empire of any of those that ever claimed to be civilized. The enlightened nation that bombed Belgrade and tolerated the destruction of Serbia's cultural heartland is to this day still encouraging its NLA lackeys, confident that Macedonia will not dare defend itself. On the theme of the barbaric, we will leave off with a quote from one of America's finest, Lieutenant General Mike Short (recorded in D. Halberstam, "Clinton's war with the generals," Vanity Fair, September 2001). This article, which chronicles the rise to power of the 'fiercely competive' and bellicose Wesley Clark (and his later falling-out with the administration), gives us a glimpse into the clever mind of an American general. Long on American bravado and threats, Short allegedly told the Serbians, before the Kosovo bombing, "Why don't you go out now and drive around your city and take one last look at it as it is today, because it will never look that way again." The proud malice of the oppresser, the ignorance of the barbarian; it is not hard to see how American and Albanian barbarism stand together as one. On the hills of Leshok, where only rubble is left to attest to a great gift of Macedonia's cultural heritage, things will never look the same again. Last edited by George S.; 04-28-2012 at 03:12 AM. Reason: ed |
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#3 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 7,309
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Albanian terrorist erase Macedonian symbols in Tetovo - ABOUT TWENTY CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES DEMOLISHED, BURNT DOWN AND DAMAGED
http://www.culture.in.mk/story.asp?id=392 TETOVO - In the past six months over 20 churches and monasteries in the Tetovo area, situated in the areas of military activities, are destroyed, burnt down or damaged. Albanian terrorists have reached for the sacral objects, for those that represent symbols of the Christianity and orthodoxy, for values that mark the history and the tradition. A part of them were placed under the protection of the state. The last of those objects was the religious temple "Sv. Atanasie" in Leshok village. The artefacts of this cathedral date back to 14th century A.D., and given the numerous features and meanings, they represents the pride of the whole Polog Christianity, of the Macedonian Orthodox Church (MPC), as well as of the culture, art and literature in Macedonia. Mr. Mirko Vidoevski, art historian and zograph (icon painter) points out that apart from the church in Leshok, another church consecrated to St. Atanasie, which was erected on the hill over the village and as a monument dates back from the 13th century, was also destroyed. He says that together with the painters, Aleksandar Nastovski and Pavle Kuzmanovski, and the icon painter, Krste Gogovski (who is among those who are kidnapped for over a month now), in a longer period of time they have managed to restore and artistically shape some older and some newly built orthodox edifices which in these days were targets for the Albanian intruders. Apart from the two churches in Leshok, it is known with certainty that in Slatino the church "Sveti Nikola" is pulled down, the monastery church "Sveti Atanasie" on the Kale fortress is destroyed. The monastery church "Sveti Gjorgija" in Mala Rechica had also had the same destiny. The orthodox temples "Sveti Nikola" in the Koltuk settlement, and "Sveta Bogorodica" in Gorno Maalo in Tetovo are damaged. This is the case also with the new church in Tearce "Sveti Dimitrija", the monastery church in Neproshteno "Sveti Gjorgija", then "Sveta Bogorodica" in Dzepchishta, the overnight dormitory of the church "Sveti Gjorgija" in the village Lavce, monastery "Sveti Ilija" in Lukovica, as well as "Sveti Nikola" in the village Odri. For over a month the owners have no knowledge of the condtion of their houses and other objects in the villages from which the Albanian terrorist gangs have forced the Macedonians away. However, it is with certainty known that some damages are inflicted on "Sveta Petka" in Varvara, "Sveta Bogorodica" and "Sveti Ilija" in Brezno, "Sveti Kuzman i Damjan" in Jedoarce, "Sveti Gjorgija" in Otunje, "Sveti Spas" and "Sveti Jovan Bogoslov" in Jeloshnik and "Sveti Nikola" in Setole. Mr. Mirko Vidoevski says that the greatest number of the sacred places had very old frescoes and icons, the value of which cannot be expressed in financial terms. CHURCH “ST. SPAS” IN MATEJCE IN FLAMES THE MONASTERY OF MATEJCE One of the most important shrine of Orthodox Macedonians and Serbs History of the Monastery The monastery of Matejce is one of those monasteries in Macedonia that were built high up in the mountains at 1005 meters above sea level, on the southeastern side of the mountain Skopska Crna Gora, the Kumanovo side. The monastery consists of a church dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God and the residential part, which is now renovated and adapted for tourists. We learn about the history of the church from the Serbian king Milutin’s written testimonials from 1300, which note that his son, Czar Dusan began its construction on the foundation of an old church dedicated to St. Mary Mother of God of Monte Negro. The fact that this czar started building the church is also mentioned in the biography of Czar Uros, the last Serbian ruler of Nemanjic dynasty. It states that after Czar Dusan’s death, his wife Elena and his son Uros had the church finished and painted inside. According to some written sources, until the Second World War there used to be a chapel inside the altar of the church that came from the 12th century. The church was restored in 1934, 1953 and 1960, after a long period of negligence. From an architectural point of view, the structure has five cupolas on the basis of a cross. The central cupola has twelve sides and the other four smaller cupolas stand on the angles of the basis. The outside of the altar apse has five sides and is decorated with bricklayers. Pilasters and blind arcade can be seen on the facade. The hagiographic icons from the 14th century, which fill the interior of the church, are rather damaged. Some depictions of the life of Christ and Mother of God have been saved. On the west wall there are remains that show the vineyards of Byzantine emperors whereas the south wall presents Czar Dusan, Czarina Elena and their son Uros. What makes this church interesting are the numerous inscriptions. One of them is the one that mentions the year 1568, when archbishop Nikifor of Skopje died. There is also the inscription of Kiril Pejcinovic, the great Macedonian religious and enlightenment missionary from the 19th century. SERBIAN ORTHODOX PATRIARCH PAVLE APPEALS TO UN SECRETARY GENERAL ON BEHALF OF MATEJCE MONASTERY Serbian Orthodox Church officialy has jurisdiction over the Orthodox community in Macedonia. Self proclaimed independent Macedonian Orthodox Church appeared when the Macedonian dioceses split from its jurisdictional unity with the Serbian Orthodox Church in 1964. The MPC since then remains officialy unrecognized in the family of Orthodox Christian Churches. Serbian Orthodox Church is therefore directly concerned about the destruction of its religious and spiritual heritage on the territory of Macedonia. Great number of medieval Orthodox churches in Macedonia, especially in Tetovo, Kumanovo and Skopje area were built by Serbian medieval kings and nobility, the fact which modern Macedonian historians systematically avoid. (Nova Makedonija, 1.11.2001.) - Albanian terrorist gangs set fire in the premises of church “St. Spas” in Matejce, which are fully burned down. None of the Albanians in the village tried to extinguish the fire, a fact that shows the fire was set by terrorist arsonists. Police sources say that the Internal Ministry is already on the trace of the ones who set the fire, against whom criminal charges will be brought. During the visit of Opae village, Chairman of Coordination Body for Crisis Management Ilija Filipovski was acquainted with the problems that displaced persons face with in the course of their return to the homes. He was also acquainted with the requests for an organized convoy for Macedonians and Serbs to visit Matejce village. After the visit of Opae village, representatives of the Coordination Body had talks in Kumanovo community about the problems in high school education in Albanian. Last edited by George S.; 04-29-2012 at 01:55 PM. Reason: ed |
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#4 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,129
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Today's edition of Dnevnik:
1000 Churches await to be robbed ![]() Quote:
Date: 29.04.2012 |
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#5 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Australia, Sydney
Posts: 2,926
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Visa free travel with Albania... already a big mistake
Friday, 27 April 2012 Spokesman for Tetovo's police Marjan Josifovski today announced the arrest of an Albanian national responsible for robbing numerous Churches in the Tetovo region. The Albanian citizen (E.G, 23) was part of a three men group who at the time of the arrest was seen trying to enter the Sveti Nikola church, in the suburb of Koltuk. "Two of the three escaped, while police caught E.G. He admitted his involvement in at least three other Church robberies in the past four days." says Josifovski. Josifovski admits the situation is alarming. "We had 11 churches robbed across the country during the entire last year. This year, only in the last month and half we have had 15 churches and 1 mosque robbed, mostly in Western Macedonia." E.G. entered the country from Albania with an ID, and stayed illegally to commit various crimes. Police believes there may be numerous criminal gangs from Albania operating in Macedonia who can now easily enter and leave the country as they please. http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/20890/45/
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The Macedonians originates it, the Bulgarians imitate it and the Greeks exploit it! |
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#6 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 7,309
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yhey should stop them at the border if they appear not to have a valid reason or appear kind of whacky to be let in.It's been happenibg for a while so authorities should have known.
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#7 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 481
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Радожда остана без икони
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#8 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 481
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Ограбена црквата „Успение на Пресвета Богородица“ во Дебар
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#9 |
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Полог
Posts: 128
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Jас не познавам друг народ кој повеќе страдал од предавствата на своите синови - изроди како македонскиот
Гоце Делчев Last edited by Čento; 02-10-2013 at 02:07 PM. |
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#10 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 7,309
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why the macedonians are scared of telling how many times their churches have been robbed by albanians.They upset the poor dears.
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"Ido not want an uprising of people that would leave me at the first failure, I want revolution with citizens able to bear all the temptations to a prolonged struggle, what, because of the fierce political conditions, will be our guide or cattle to the slaughterhouse" GOTSE DELCEV |
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