He sent messages of condolence to Her Excellency, the President of the country, and to His Eminence, the Metropolitan of Bregalnica His All-Holiness, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, upon being informed of the tragic accident that occurred in the early hours of the morning at an entertainment venue in the city of Kočani, North Macedonia, in…
Today, at the Sacred Bigorski Monastery, an important meeting took place with representatives from the Embassy of the United States of America in Skopje. The esteemed guests, Mr. Matthew Flannes, Political Counselor, and Mr. Mitko Burchevski, Political Analyst at the Embassy, were received by our Elder, His Grace, Bishop Parthenius of Antania. The discussion covered…
† B A R T H O L O M E W BY GOD’S MERCY ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE - NEW ROME AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH TO THE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH MAY THE GRACE AND PEACE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, TOGETHER WITH OUR PRAYER, BLESSING AND FORGIVENESS BE WITH ALL * * *…
Today, on the commemoration of the Dormition of our Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Father, Enlightener, and Teacher Saint Cyril the Philosopher, the Sacred Bigorski Monastery had the honor of welcoming the ambassadors of five friendly nations: H.E. Mr. Denion Metdani, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania; H.E. Mr. Paolo Palminteri, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy; H.E.…
From the very beginning of the past week, which is also called the "Vestibule of Repentance," "Forefeast of Abstinence," or "Preparatory Week of the Holy Fast," the Holy Orthodox Church has, through its divine services, continuously called for heartfelt repentance—a repentance that brings forgiveness of sins and thus opens the gates to true fasting. The…
Sermon by His Grace, Bishop Parthenius of Antania, delivered on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, during the Divine Liturgy, February 3/16, in the Year of Our Savior 2025 Your Eminence, dear Bishop Mark, Most Reverend and Venerable Fathers, Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, We are already entering the second preparatory week before the…
On this second preparatory Sunday before the Honorable and Great Fast, the Holy Church presents to us one of the most sublime and comforting parables of Christ—the story of the Prodigal Son and the Merciful Father. This divine narrative of fall and repentance, human weakness, and the boundless love of the Heavenly Father is a…
Sermon by His Grace, Bishop Parthenius of Antania, delivered on the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord, during the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of the Most Pure in Kichevo, on February 2/15, in the Year of Our Lord 2025 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy…
Today, the Elder Simeon comes forth to receive the fulfillment of the promise given to him from eternity; today, his eyes, which have witnessed human suffering and the darkness of affliction, behold the Light that has illumined and delivered the new Israel; today, the frailty of Simeon’s aged and fading years receives in his trembling…
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes an ever more common feature of our daily lives, the imperative to prevent abuse of it grows increasingly urgent. In several recent public addresses, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has spoken about the ethical issues surrounding AI, providing much-needed wisdom on this new and still largely unexplored field of human…
Today, representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Macedonia, Mr. Zeus Sevilla and Mr. Mitko Burchevski, visited the Sacred Bigorski Monastery. The guests were officially received by the Abbot of the Monastery, His Grace, Bishop Partenij of Antania, in the presence of Archimandrites Dositej and Kiril. During the visit, discussions were held regarding the current state…
Today, on January 25, 2025, His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania fell asleep in the Lord—a beacon of Orthodox faith, a pillar of wisdom, and an untiring laborer in the vineyard of Christ. The unforgettable Archbishop Anastasios, with his prophetic spirit, God-inspired vision, and deep love for Christ and His Church,…
Homily of His Grace, Bishop Partenij of Antania, delivered during the Holy Liturgy on the commemoration of the Holy Archdeacon and Protomartyr Stephen, at the venerable church of the Holy Chief Apostles Peter and Paul in Kičevo, on December 27, 2024 / January 9, 2025. Most Reverend and Venerable Fathers, Revered Monks and Nuns, Honored…
The life of Saint Archdeacon and Protomartyr Stephen has always been, and remains, a radiant example and inspiration for all the faithful. His ministry, offered in the name of God and filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, was a reflection of Christian love and self-sacrifice for all. With humility and care for the…
A Sermon by His Grace, Bishop Parthenius of Antania, Abbot of the Holy Bigorski Monastery, delivered during the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ Today, my beloved, is truly a great day, filled with ineffable grace. This night is not merely another fleeting moment in our time—it is the day when…
The holy and radiant night of the most glorious Nativity of Christ shone upon our Sacred Bigorski Monastery with the unwaning light of Bethlehem and the ineffable joy of the heavenly Angels. As every year, this exalted mystery of God's Incarnation and taking on of human nature was celebrated with prayerful rejoicing and thanksgiving, as…
The Virgin today, bears the Pre-eternal Word, journeying to the Cave to give birth ineffably. Rejoice, O Universe, upon hearing, glorify Him with the Angels and the Shepherds, the One who chose to appear, the young Child, the pre-eternal God. As the majestic feast approaches, beloved, or as the Holy Fathers lovingly call it, the…
In this pre-festive period of sacred anticipation—an anticipation filled with the sighs of generations and centuries—when the nights are at their longest on the calendar, and human hearts thirst for spiritual light, we stand with bowed heads and humbled knees at the threshold of a cosmic mystery: the mystery of the Nativity of Christ. Do…
Yesterday, our Holy Monastery had the honor of welcoming H.E. the Ambassador of Ukraine, Mrs. Larisa Dir, along with her delegation. The esteemed guest also visited the Monastery of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious in Rajčica, where she had the opportunity to meet with our Elder, His Grace Bishop Parthenios of Antania. In…
To speak and write about the glorious Miracle-Worker of Ohrid, the Equal-to-the-Apostles and Enlightener, St. Clement, is a noble yet daring endeavor. It calls for us to delve deeply into his holy life and immerse ourselves in the boundless depths of his theological wisdom. Nevertheless, we, who humbly consider ourselves his spiritual children, though unworthy,…
