Beauties of Macedonia can not be enumerated quickly and to describe with ease.
Through their wealth this beautiful country hides many secrets and mysteries that are interesting to the world, and significant for the Macedonians.
Interesting geomorphologic natural occurrence on the right bank of Bregalnica called Devil's Wall.
Legend says that the devil bet with God that the Bogoslovec locality in the district of Sveti Nikole for only one night to build a wall that will redirect Bregalnica from its natural bed, its waters will be sent to Ovcepolie and will completely flooding. God accepted the wager, and the devil are obliged to build the wall until the first zakukurikaat roosters. The same night the devil began to build the wall and it did so quickly and skillfully as a place ceased to doubt that the work will finish on time. The Lord has used shrewdness - before dawn klocnal a sleeping cock zakukurikal so that once announced the arrival of the day. The devil failed in its intention, Ovcepolie was saved from a flood, the wall is named Devil, and huge stones remained to this day to witness the legend that is not known when occurred.
The interesting legend remained among the people, who to this day tells whenever you mention this wonderful place.
Another legend says that on this space is hiding a wealth of great conquests of Alexander of Macedon, and this myth was very challenging for buried treasure seekers to try their luck.
These are rocky izdanoci ie rock bands that are clearly evident in the relief and extend fragmented east-west-northwest, the length of several hundred meters. The phenomenon is a consequence of rapid erosion of the Eocene sediments erodibilnite-sands, and other pesochnici in terms of tectonic poremetenite, stronger vertical rock bands. These rocks stronger as compared to the relatives and friends behind in relief in the form of a natural wall. Thus the appearance is not a direct consequence of human activity or construction, unless they are considered human impact on the acceleration of erosion processes through ogoluvanjeto pitch.
Dr. Aleksandadr Balabanov, a famous classical philologist and university professor in Leipzig said that the Devil's Wall wonder what does not exist in the world.
When the already distant 1970, the famous archaeologist from Belgrade, Milutni Garashanin, accidentally hit a wall this admiringly said:
- This is amazing! This is brilliant work, whether of nature or man! This is the wonder of the world! This wall is distinctively imponzanten significant length of five hundred feet in the direction of extension of "Bogoslvoec" and DES-tive along the coast of Bregalnica and its traces can be seen even five miles to the west. Traces of the wall can be seen on the left bank of Bregalnica edinsvenost that associated with the wall. Average height ranges from 10 to 12 feet wide and about 2 meters. The building is constructed with stone blocks with an average intake - to 4 cubic meters, and cause-tions between the stones is thin, reddish binder material skillfully done by expert grditel.
For seekers of gold by a story that this is a wall from the Roman period, that it hides a tunnel with incredible wealth. The tunnel is designated and certain topographic maps naive seekers of fortune sell them adept fraudsters from nearby countries. The tunnel, according to them is the main reason that last year the illegal diggers treasure more visit the wall and damage. The last two years subject to such observation activities and the wall was some NATO troops with helicopters often unfold near the Wall. Also, repeatedly observed wild diggers from neighboring countries so that they become the biggest threat to the status of this rare feonomen.
Devil's Wall creates unrest and peace simultaneously. The man carries risks, but shining with all its beauty, grandeur and mystery as breathtaking and awe real cause.
Bulgarian and Greek propagandists insist that Macedonian is not a language, that it is only a western Bulgarian dialect, despite the fact that Macedonian is an internationally recognized language and taught at several prestigious universities throughout the world. (See below). Here are some quotes, by non-Macedonians, regarding the Macedonian language:
"The decision to establish Macedonian as the official language of the Republic of Macedonia in 1944, therefore, 'confirmed what was already de facto practice. It did not create a language out of the air, rather it granted recognition to a literary language whose modern development began in the 19th century."(Friedman 1985:35).
"In the world of Horace Lunt, a distinguished Slavic linguist, Bulgarian scholars who argue that the concept of a Macedonian language was unknown before World War II or who continue to claim that a Macedonian language does not exist 'look not only dishonest, but silly,' while Greek scholars who make similar claims are displaying 'arrogant ignorance' of their Slavic neighbours". (Lunt 1984:110, 120).
"The Macedonian language is accepted by linguists everywhere in the world except in Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece. It is recognized as a distinct language by various international authorities such as the Encyclopedia Britannica and The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language. It is one of the recognized 88 world languages, spoken by close to 1.5 million people in the Republic of Macedonia, 250,000 people in Aegean Macedonia, 250,000 people in Pirin Macedonia, and around 500,000 people in other parts of the world, particularly North America and Australia.
"Modern Greece has often recognized its Slav minority and its language as Macedonian Slav, Bulgarian, or just Slav: in the official map circulated in the post -World War I negotiations (Soteriadis, 1918); in at least one official Greek Foreign Ministry document of 1924 (the language was mentioned as Macedonian, Divani, 1995:228); in interwar newspapers (Margaritis, 1993:27) or official notary documents (GHM and MRG-Greece have copies of them); in its publication of the 1920, 1928, 1940 and 1951 census results (Lithoxoou, 1995). For the 1920 census, the language is mentioned simply as Macedonian and is distinguished from Bulgarian.
"Krste Misirkov, considered 'the founder of the modern Macedonian literary language (Nurigiani 1972:160-161) was an outspoken and unambiguous advocate of Macedonian linguistic and national separatism. In his book On Macedonian Matters, published in 1903 in Sofia and immediately suppressed by the Bulgarians, Misirkov wrote, 'I am a Macedonian. I write in the central Macedonian dialect, which from now on I shall always consider the Macedonian literary language.' He not only advocated 'completely separating our (Macedonian) interests from those of other Balkan states and independently continuing our own cultural and national development,' but he also called for the 'recogntion of the Slavs in Macedonia as a separate nationality - Macedonians.' He stated plainly and simply that the Macedonians are 'a separate and independent Slav people.'"
Macedonian and Neighbouring Languages
Language is one of the most important features of a people. As for the Macedonian people and its state are concerned, language is of extreme significance and offers confirmation of their historical continuity. Apart from being the official language in the Republic of Macedonia, Macedonian is spoken and cherished in many European countries, the United States, Canada and Australia, wherever Macedonians live. It is also the mother tongue and a language of everyday communication in those parts of the Balkan states populated by ethnic Macedonians. As the official language of the Republic of Macedonia, Macedonian is written using its Cyrillic alphabet. The Macedonian literary standard is a modern European language, which according to its characteristics is different from the neighboring and other Slavic and non-Slavic languages. Macedonian is an Indo-European language from the family of Slavic languages belonging to the South-Slavic group. At the same time, it is a Balkan language. It is interesting to mention that there are instances in the world when two or more nations have a common language, and vice versa, when some nations have two languages. The Macedonian nation, however, is in this respect like the majority of nations in the world - its members have a separate language. This fact creates a feeling of independence in every member of the Macedonian nation and represents a significant contribution in the construction of Macedonian national consciousness.
Normative Structure
The historical development of the Macedonian language dates back to the 9th century AD when Slavonic literacy began with a standard Macedonian language. The modern codification of the Macedonian literary language was as late as 1944, although from the 1860s onwards, attempts were made at creating a general Macedonian literary standard. The Macedonian language has a rich history and has played a key role in the development of the spiritual culture, creative activity and the preservation of the distinctive national identity of the Macedonians. It developed from the dialect of the South Slavs who deeply penetrated the Balkan Peninsula. It has common features with the Bulgarian dialects to the east and Serbian dialects to the north. Located in the Slavic linguistic periphery within the sphere of Greek-Byzantine civilization and Roman-Balkan culture, Macedonian preserves numerous archaic features, such as the use of imperfect and aorist, and has made a number of innovations.
Macedonian Studies in the World
Today it occupies a central position on the Balkan Peninsula. It has common borders with Albanian, Greek and the Turkish spoken in Thrace, which makes possible the inclusion of a large number of Balkan characteristics into the Macedonian language. Some of the more characteristic Balkan features of Macedonian are the postpositive article, analytic declination (the loss of case forms), double object, da-constructions, kje-constructions, constructions with ima/nema, constructions with sum + deverbative, etc. The grammatical structure of Macedonian was chiefly stabilized during the 15th century. The modern Macedonian literary standard is based on the central variants of the western dialect, west of the River Vardar, even though it contains features from the eastern dialect, to the east of the Vardar. A characteristic feature of the Macedonian literary standard is the three-syllable accent (the accent always falls on the third syllable from the end in words of three syllables or more), and the clear pronunciation of unaccented vowels. As we have already mentioned, starting from the 9th century and the foundation of the well-known Ohrid Literary School, the standard Macedonian language was used in written documents for a long period: until the 11th century in the Glagolitic, and after that in the Cyrillic script. Of old written documents (until the 13th century), we should mention Dobromir's Gospel, the Ohrid Apostle (Work of the Apostles), the Slepche Apostle, Dobrejsho's Gospel, the Macedonian Gospel of Priest John, the Dechani Gospel, the Vraneshnica Apostle, Pogodin's Psalter, the Bologna Psalter, Radomir's Gospel and the Strumica Apostle. The phonetic principle has been applied in contemporary orthography, which means that there is a separate letter for each sound, so that the Macedonian alphabet has 31 letters. The period since 1944 has led to a swift development and comprehensive affirmation of the Macedonian literary language within the country and abroad. The first grammar was published by Krume Kepeski in 1946. A detailed grammar in two volumes was published by Blazhe Koneski in 1952 (Volume 1) and 1954 (Volume 2), while the first Macedonian grammar by a foreign scholar was published by H. Lunt in 1952. An abundant literature has been written in Macedonian in all fields, while in the fields of linguistics, a comprehensive Dictionary of the Macedonian Language and many bilingual dictionaries have been prepared. A large number of works, from classical literature up to the contemporary literature of many people, have been translated into Macedonian. There are a number of institutions in the Republic of Macedonia where the Macedonian Language has been studied. Macedonian is taught as a subject in several university centres in the world, at the appropriate faculties in Moscow, Voronyezh, Minsk, Ivanovo, Warsaw, Krakow, Katowice, Lodz, Krajova, Prague, Vienna, Halle, Lund, Paris, Naples, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Bradford, Portland, Budapest, Istanbul and Toronto. Munich, Regensburg, Zurich, Cologne, Cannes, Brno, Bucharest, Harvard, Chicago, New York, Nanking, Klagenfurt, Trieste, Bratislava, St. Petersburg, Kansas, Syracuse, Ohio and Canberra. Macedonian is being taught in all universities of the former Yugoslavia. Findings from the study of the Macedonian language have been published in specialized editions. A large number of scholarly papers from the field of Macedonian studies have been published by Macedonian and foreign authors.
Languages of the Minorities
The languages of the minorities within the Republic of Macedonia are used freely. Albanian, Turkish, and Serbo-Croatian have been taught at the pre-school, elementary, and secondary level. Albanian and Turkish are studied at the University of Skopje, and newspapers, magazines, and books are published and radio and television programs prepared in the languages of the minorities. The Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia determines the right to the official use of the languages of the minorities. According to the Constitution, "in the units of local self government where there is a considerable number of inhabitants belonging to a nationality, their language and alphabet are also in official use, in addition to the Macedonian language and Cyrillic alphabet, under conditions and in a manner determined by law." (Article 7) The newly-adopted Local Self-Government Act stipulates the use of the languages and scripts of the minorities in the units of local self government with populations of mixed ethnic affiliation. The Act defines the categories of units of local self government where a majority or a considerable number of the inhabitants belong to a minority. The respective numbers are, 50% and 20% of the total population according to official data from the 1994 census.
The Museum of the Macedonian Struggle is a national museum of the Republic of Macedonia located in the capital city of Skopje.
Construction of the museum began June 11th 2008 and it was opened to
the public on the 20th anniversary of the declaration of independence on
September 8th, 2011. The building is located between the Museum of Archaeology (under construction), the Holocaust Museum of Macedonia, the Stone Bridge and the Vardar River.
The exhibit covers the fight for Macedonian statehood from the days of the Hajduks against the Turkish occupation during the Ottoman Empire until the declaration of independence from Yugoslavia on 8th September 1991.
The guided tours take the visitors through 13 exhibits ending in front
of the original copy of the 1991 Declaration of Independence.
The archaeo-astronomical site, the megalithic observatory "Kokino" is located in the north-eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia, at 19km to the northeast of the town Kumanovo and in the vicinity of the village Kokino. Administratively it belongs to the municipality Staro Nagorichane. It comprises an area with a surface of 100m in the direction east-west and 50m in the direction north-south, at the peak of the imposing rocky hill called Tatichev kamen. It is at an elevation of 1013 m.
The hill had been formed from volcanic rocks. It has a conical form with a saddle at the top and it belongs to the volcanic area Kratovo-Zletovo. The volcanic cone, the lateral secondary parasite effusions and volcanic neck (petrified lava in the lower volcanic channel) are preserved from the extinct volcano. The erupted lava is of an intermediate character with an andesitic composition, with clearly columnar (prismatic) emission and accentuated cracks.
The natural predisposition of these andesite rocks to crack vertically and horizontally caused forming of almost ideal cubic rock blocks that could be easily shaped and wisely used by the prehistoric dwellers as areas/positions for observing the movement of the Sun and the Moon and for performing religious rites.
All crucial features of the ancient observatory are situated at two platforms, an upper and a lower one, at an elevation difference of 19m. The shapes of four stone seats ("thrones") placed in a row dominate the lower, western side. They are oriented in the direction north-south, thus enabling the one seating on the throne to observe the apparitions on the upper platform, while the tops of the rocks had the role of an eastern horizon. According to the archaeo-astronomical analysis, the main role of the thrones was the performing of the bonding ritual of the Sun God with his "representative" on Earth - the ruler, who sat on one of the thrones (the second one) during the ritual. A testimony for that is the distinct stone block with a separate marker cutting on its top, placed right under the highest elevation of the site. The ritual was performed in mid-summer (today in the last day of July) when the Sun rises exactly in the opening of the stone marker. The marker cutting was made with great precision, in such a way that the distance of its external vertical sides fully corresponds with the diameter of the Sun, when observed from the second throne. In order to enable the sun ray to fall on one of the thrones, the people had made a separate trench (incision) in the vertical rock that separates the upper from the lower platform of the site. In the day of the ritual the sun ray passes exactly by the right edge of the trench and falls only on the second throne, i.e. on the place where the most powerful member of the community sat. The day when the rite was performed corresponded with the time of the ending of the harvest - the end of the annual cycle of the plants, and in the same time end of the energy of the ruler. By reuniting with the Sun God, through the light that fell on its face during the ritual ceremony, the energy and the power of the ruler were renewed. This meant hope for a peaceful life for the community and rich crops in the year to come. Twenty hand grinders found in the proximity of the room at the base of the ritual mark are a testimony for the performing of the rite that marked the end of the harvest.
The central space of the ancient observatory was to the south-west from the thrones. It was used for observing the eastern horizon. All nine marker cuttings at the eastern horizon used by the ancient "astronomers" for daily marking of the rising of the Sun and the Moon can be seen from here. Three of the marker cuttings were intended to mark the rising of the Sun in the day of the summer solstice, the autumn and the spring equinox and the winter solstice. The six remaining marker cuttings marked the spots of the rising of the full Moon in the days when it has the smallest and the biggest declination during winter and summer. The two marker cuttings that were used for measuring the length of the lunar months can be seen from here. They were utilized for the making of a calendar for a periodic cycle of 19 lunar years.
In the "Kokino" calendar 12 lunar years contained 12 lunar months each. Six of them were winter months of 29 days and six summer months of 30 days. The remaining 7 lunar years contained 13 lunar months: six winter months of 29 days and seven summer months of 30 days. These „excessive" lunar years were at each 2nd, 5th, 8th, 10th, 13th, 16th and 18th year in a period of 19 years.
The making of the calendar was one of the basic functions of the megalithic observatory "Kokino". Most probably, the announcement for the days when the most important events start was made by lighting fire on the mountain top located behind the thrones. This spot opens a view in a radius of more than 30km, and hence the fire could be seen by the inhabitants of all surrounding places.
The archaeological investigations at this area unearthed of one of the richest Bronze Age sites in the Republic of Macedonia. Its boundaries are much wider than the boundaries of the ancient observatory that is situated at the mountain top. The observatory has a surface of 0,5 hectares, while the archaeological site spreads on a surface of about 30 hectares. The investigated area is quite small, having in mind that there have been continuous archaeological investigations for only couple of years (since 2001).
The largely abundant archaeological movable material is comprised of fragments of ceramic vessels, whose shapes (versions of cooking vessels, many types of cups,kantharoses), determine the period of Bronze Age in Macedonia. The earliest ones date in Early Bronze Age (19th - 17th century BC), while the ones from Late Bronze Age (14th - 11th century BC) prevail. It is monochromatic ceramic encountered in different versions in the wider Central Balkan and South Thracian area, but with elements of local evolution. Especially significant is the mould for casting bronze axes and a pendant, for the first time discovered in Macedonia, but also in the wider region.
The archaeological artefacts from the eastern side of the highest part of the site also speak of one of the mountain rites related with the fertility cult. Namely, fragments of vessels were discovered in several natural cracks on the rocks, sometimes remodelled in almost circular form in the upper part. The small pits formed this way were closed with earth and small stones upon the introducing of the vessels filled with offerings. The essence of the cult is in the belief that the rocky mountain top is the body of the Great Goddess Mother and the cracks in the rocks - the openings in her womb.
A settlement that existed from the prehistoric period (Bronze Age) until the protohistoric period (the passage to Iron Age and Iron Age), i.e. from 19th to 7thcentury BC was formed at the southeast slope of the hill. Its precise location and more complete identification will be determined by the continuous archaeological investigations.
The megalithic observatory "Kokino" represents a unique outstandingly well preserved site from Bronze Age in South East Europe, testimony for the human creative genius in the usage of a specific natural resource for satisfying the vital needs and beliefs. It is significant as:
The ancient observatory "Kokino" represents an exceptionally well structured and organized area on the two hanging platforms united in the performing of their joint function: observing the movement of the Sun and the Moon and marking of the extreme positions. The existence of the three stone marker cuttings for marking the spots of the rising of the Sun in the days of the summer solstice, the winter solstice, the spring and autumn equinox, unarguably shows that Bronze Age people were familiar with the movement of the Sun in the course of the year. The four precise marker cuttings for marking the spots of the rising of the full Moon on the eastern horizon, when it has a maximum and minimum declination in winter and summer, also confirm that the ancient observers of the sky above "Kokino" knew about the cycle in a period of 19 years when the full Moon rises at the same spot in the same day of the calendar. In the same time, the megalithic observatory "Kokino" has two marker cuttings, that so far are the only ones in the world, and which measured the length of the lunar months and made the lunar calendar. This represents the peak of the human creative thought from that time. The calendar in "Kokino" is greatly in accordance with the tropical year, i.e. with the vegetation cycles. For the inhabitants from this age it meant precise dating of the beginning and the end of farming and stock-breeding, thus undertaking activities for good crops and offspring that provided peaceful and stabile life for the community.
Especially significant is the stone block with a separate marker cutting on its top. It was made for ritual function with an explicit solar character. In mid summer (end of July) a sun ray from the sunrise that penetrated through the opening of the stone marker cutting and passed by the right edge of the artificially formed trench, illuminated the ruler alone, who set on one of the four stone thrones, made especially for rite needs. The illumination of the face of the ruler signified ritual union with the Sun God and returning/renewing of his ruling power.
The megalithic observatory "Kokino" represents an original and integral complex formed 3900 years ago. Its role as a distinctly shaped space for the most important rites in the life of the people from that time and as a place where the lunar calendar was made and applied, speaks of the creative potential and the organization level of the early farmers community on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia, but also wider in the Balkans. The artefacts that had been discovered so far show an occupancy continuity of at least 1200 years in the period between the 19th and the 7thcentury BC.
The dominant location and the monumental appearance of the stone seats (thrones), the distinctly made stone markers, trenches, access paths and formed rite spaces - are a testimony of one original monumental art expressed through the skill of designing a space in a rocky area.
The archaeological excavations had additionally shed light on the performing of two important rituals in the life of Bronze Age people in this area. The excavation of the ritual pits filled with offerings vessels on the eastern slopes of the mountain, confirmed the existence of the rites connected with the fertility of the land, i.e. the cult devotion of the Great Goddess Mother. Along with the specific spatial organization and the shaping of certain stone forms that served for the performing of the rites for the end of harvest and for the ritual bonding of the ruler with the Sun God, speak of the role of this site as a holy mountain.
The determining of the age of the observatory, the homogeneity of the structure, the manner of spatial shaping and its proven purpose, are a testimony of the fact that it is an exceptional and rare, and according to many features - unique site of the so-called megalithic culture in the world.
The scientific methods of, mainly, two sciences: astronomy and archaeology are applied in the analysis of the values of the site "Kokino". The precise measurements and the application of the astronomic methods in the argumentation and documentation of the positions of the marker cuttings for the rising of the Sun and the Moon in astronomically precisely determined time, do not allow any doubt for the authenticity of the marker cuttings and their purpose, as well as for the overall design of the observatory.
The great number of artefacts showing integrity in the forms, the material and the production manner also confirm their authenticity. The most important ones are exhibited in the National Institution - Museum Kumanovo.
The archaeo-astronomical site is preserved in its original condition. The permanent damaging occurs due to natural factors, but this does not undermine its integrity. The dominant position that offers a view towards other archaeological sites (settlements of Neolith and Bronze Age) on the surrounding hills, confirms the crucial role of this site in the life of the prehistoric dwellers from these areas.
Protection status :
For reasons of securing the features of the site Kokino, where the investigations started in 2001, it had received the status of a property under temporary protection, according to a Decision (nr. 08-1935/6 of 13.11.2008) issued by the Cultural Heritage Protection Office, a body within the Ministry of Culture, and based on the Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage for the category of immovable cultural property - cultural landscape. In this regard, beside the general information on the location of the site and the evaluation of the features of the site, its boundaries, contact zones and the regime of protection are preliminary determined. In the meantime, a procedure for gathering and analysing the data for obtaining a protection status of highest rank was initiated and it has to be finalized within the legally determined period of one year. In this way, the site/cultural landscape "Kokino" will be proclaimed protected property of highest category - cultural heritage of especial significance with subcategory - exceptional significance. Having in mind that there already are sufficient data that confirm the exceptional significance of this site (as an integral archaeo-astronomical property / cultural landscape), from protection aspect, the researchers will have to concentrate on the precise determination of the boundaries of the property and the measures of the protection regime in the separate zone for permanent securing of the site and its immediate surrounding from unlawful actions and also for its proper presentation and popularization.
A draft Management Plan (Kumanovo, 2008) was prepared for the site Kokino. It was commissioned and adopted by the National Institution Museum Kumanovo and it will become a strategic document of the Republic of Macedonia, in accordance with the information for the rest of the legal procedure.
The United States Space Agency (NASA) recognized the megalithic observatory "Kokino" as a significant heritage of this type in its "Timeless knowledge" project in 2005. "Kokino" is listed side by side with ancient observatories as Stonehenge (Great Britain), Abu Simbel (Egypt), Angkor Wat (Cambodia), Machu Picchu (Peru) etc.
Phillip II of Macedon - Monument in Skopje, Macedonia
In the summer of 338 BC the great Macedonian army, about 30000, are faced with almost the same number of enemy force of Athenians, Thebans and Bostian in town Chaeronea. It was a disaster.
In the plane of Chaeronea Macedonian phalanx proved its superiority over traditional hoplitski forces. Opposing the Allied forces suffered heavy casualties, including full and so-called holy orders.
Decisive Macedonian victory have made Philip master of the situation. The gathered representatives from all regions of the city of Corinth, has forced the coast and forming the so-called "League of Corinth" under his leadership. Of course, all participants' city-states "have lost their independence, they actually become part of a strong empire of Philip of Macedon. Battle of Chaeronea marks the epoch that buried the freedom of non-Macedonian cities. Military victory has incorporated political deal that Philip was given a blank map of interventions when and where he had need.
Alexander the Great - Monument in Skopje, Macedonia
Alexander III the Great, the King of Macedonia and conqueror of the Persian Empire is considered one of the greatest military geniuses of all times. He was inspiration for later conquerors such as Hannibal the Carthaginian, the Romans Pompey and Caesar, and Napoleon. Alexander was born in 356 BC in Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia. He was son of Philip II, King of Macedonia, and Olympias, the princess of neighboring Epirus. He spent his childhood watching his father transforming Macedonia into a great military power, winning victory after victory on the battlefields throughout the Balkans. When he was 13, Philip hired the Greek philosopher Aristotle to be Alexander’s personal tutor. During the next three years Aristotle gave Alexander a training in rhetoric and literature and stimulated his interest in science, medicine, and philosophy, all of which became of importance in Alexander’s later life. In 340, when Philip assembled a large Macedonian army and invaded Thrace, he left his 16 years old son with the power to rule Macedonia in his absence as regent, which shows that even at such young age Alexander was recognized as quite capable. But as the Macedonian army advanced deep into Thrace, the Thracian tribe of Maedi bordering north-eastern Macedonia rebelled and posed a danger to the country. Alexander assembled an army, led it against the rebels, and with swift action defeated the Maedi, captured their stronghold, and renamed it after himself to Alexandropolis.
Two years later in 338 BC, Philip gave his son a commanding post among the senior generals as the Macedonian army invaded Greece. At the Battle of Chaeronea the Greeks were defeated and Alexander displayed his bravery by destroying the elite Greek force, the Theban Secret Band. Some ancient historians recorded that the Macedonians won the battle thanks to his bravery.
Justinian the 1st - Monument in Skopje, Macedonia
We continue to present
famous people from world history, whose origin was from Macedonia.
In the following we will make a brief summary of the character and the accomplishments
of the famous Byzantine Emperor Justinian the 1st also known as the Grate. Most of the researchers
and historians figured that there is no doubt that he was born near Skopje. This fact is represented in the
Catholic encyclopaedia ( title: Justinian).The real name of Emperor Justinian
was Flavius Petrus Sabbatius Justinianus. He was born in 482 or 483.
Some speculate that even as a child he was adopted by Byzantine Emperor named Justin
(who ruled from 518 till 527), because he was the son of his sister. These
researchers came to this conclusion on the bases of the name Justinian, which was given
to him. It is known that eight years after his coming to power, Justinian
ordered his birth place be well decorated, after which it got the name “Justinian
Prima”. Some researchers claim that Justinian didn’t speak the Greek language at all. For
example the author Christopher Hibert in his book “Cities and civilisations”, on
page 59 writes that there are no evidence that the Emperor Justinian spoke the
Greek language well. Here we can read:“As a young man Justinian
joined his uncle Justin in Constantinople,
where he acquired a solid education,
although he never learn to speak Greek well”. Justinian was married to
Theodora, who before that was a dancer.
Tsar Samuil - Monument in Skopje, Macedonia
Tsar Samuil established the first Macedonian state in 976 A.D. lasting until 1018, following the defeat at the hands of the Byzantines. Samuil's Empire consisted of the entire region of Macedonia, as well as Thessaly, Epirus, Albania, Serbia, Duklja, Travina, Zahumlje, Neretva, and a considerable part of Bulgaria. In this empire the majority of the population were Macedonians, followed by Bulgarians, Serbs, Croats, Romaioi (Byzantines), Albanians, and Vlachs. The official language of the empire was Macedonian.
"Perched in his royal seat high over the city of Ohrid, Tsar Samuil fought the Byzantine invaders who frequently tried to take over Macedonia. A ruler as well as a warrior, he led a brave and loyal army who would follow him to the grave."
Saints Cyril and Methodius - Monument in Skopje, Macedonia
Through their work they influenced the cultural development of all Slavs, for which they received the title "Apostles to the Slavs". They are credited with devising the Glagolitic alphabet, the first alphabet used to transcribe Old Church Slavonic. After their deaths, their pupils continued their missionary work among other Slavs. Both brothers are venerated in the Orthodox Church as saints with the title of "equal-to-apostles"
Saint Clement and Saint Naum - Monument in Skopje, Macedonia
Saint Naum of Ohrid – The Miracle Maker (830—23rd December 910), was a medieval ascetic, writer, teacher and one of the founders of the Slavic and Macedonian literacy and culture. The sources from which information about him can be obtained are the following: Two Slavic hagiographies, the Greek hagiography, the Pannonian Legends and Clement's Comprehensive hagiography. There it is written that “the Saint and great father Naum came from Moesia. After he was educated by his noble [parents], he decided that aristocracy and wealth were like a weed and he joined Constantine the Philosopher and his brother Methodius, who were equal to the apostles.” Saint Naum followed the Thessaloniki brothers in the course of their mission among the Slavs in Moravia and Pannonia, where for many years (863-885) he gave sermons about God’s word to the Slavic peoples in their mother tongue, he followed them to Rome, where in 868 Pope Adrian II (867-872) ordained him a deacon, after which he received the title of presbyter, and later on he became a devoted helper of Saint Methodius in Pannonia. After the death of Saint Methodius (yr. 885), the disciples of the Holy Brothers fraught with harsh temptations, especially when the old enemy of the Slavic culture - the German Viking, became the Moravian Bishop. The preachers were thrown into a dark room, shackled, and subjected to torture. Having heard their prayers, God made a miracle: there was an earthquake, the walls of the prison toppled, and the shackles broke off. When the people witnessed that, they were convinced in the holiness of the prisoners, but Viking interpreted this divine sign as a work of the devil and banished Saint Naum and his fellow ascetics to Velikomoravia. The Holy preachers, guided by the Divine Providence, made many miracles before they reached the Danube. There they divided into groups. Some of them went in the direction of Moesia, whereas others towards Dacia and Illyria, "spreading the Divine Providence." Venerable Naum along with Saint Clement and Saint Angelarij travelled to Bulgaria. The Sacred Bulgarian King Michael (Boris) gladly greeted the disciples of Saints Cyril and Methodius. He sent St. Clement on a teaching mission to Macedonia, whereas St. Naum remained in the capital Pliska. Saint Naum organized a Slavic educational and literary centre, not in the capital Pliska, where the residence of the Bysantian Archbishop of Bulgaria was situated, but rather in the adjacent Slavic town Preslav. Venerable Naum started teaching and giving sermons in the monastery built in the name of Saint Pantaleon, near Preslav (886-893). In the year 893 St. Clement was ordained Bishop of Belica/Velica. Following this event, St. Naum was appointed to his position as a teacher. King Simeon sent Venerable Naum to Kutmichevica. “Naum and Clement arrived in the Illyrian and Lychnidos regions.” It was here that St. Naum strengthened his educational work, together with St. Clement for seven years continuously, and established the Ohrid Literary School, also known as the First Slavic University. Together with St. Clement, they were named “the new Moses and Aaron." While St. Clement was working as a Bishop in Ohrid (holding the title Bishop of Velica), St. Naum founded a new monastery on the southern shore of Ohrid Lake, in honor of the Holy Archangels. This monastery exists even today and adorns the shore; as the name of St. Naum adorns the history of the Slavic Christianity throughout the centuries and represents a spring of miraculous power and a sanctuary for the sick and the disadvantaged. St. Naum was surrounded by many a monk from all parts of the Balkans. He was a wise teacher, the only superior of the monks, a zealous ascetic, miraculous with his prayers and ecclesiasticism. He was assiduous in his efforts to translate the Holy Bible and other religious books from Greek into Slavic language. He is thought to have written The Canon for Apostle Andrej and the Canon for the Translation of the Relics of John Chrysostom. He made miracles during and following his earthly life. His miraculous relics, which rest in the monastic church, up to this day dazzle with their miracles, especially when it comes to curing serious diseases, in particular curing insanity. He passed away in the first half of X century, i.e. December 23rd 910, in the monastery that he himself established, which today bears his name, “Saint Naum”.
Saint Clement of OhridHad it not been for the missionary
work of Sts. Clement and Naum in Ohrid, the enlightening Christian and
educational feat of the Holy Brothers would have practically been lost. These
students of Sts. Cyril and Methodius laid the foundations of Christianity and
Slav literacy in their homeland Macedonia. St. Clement was the first Macedonian
of spirit erudition and literacy. His activities were firmly linked with the
true and thorough Christianization of the Macedonian Slavs, as well as with the
foundation and organization of the First Slav Episcopate in Ohrid and
Kutmitchevica. St. Clement continued with the translation of the Holy Scriptures
in the language of the Macedonian Slavs and he founded the Ohrid University,
which took him a step further than his teachers. He created the new Slav
alphabet, called Cyrillic, in honor of his teacher St. Cyril of
Thessaloniki.
About 3,500 students sought their education at the
University of St. Clement. Many of them were ordained priests, deacons and
arch-deacons, and many were sent on missions among the Slav peoples on the
Balkan Peninsula, and even further abroad. A large number of them also reached
far away Russia.
In 893 AD, St. Clement was enthroned bishop. He was the
first Slav bishop in the all-Slav Bishopric of Belica. This Slav bishopric is
rightly considered by some Church historians as the first organized Slav Church
on the Balkan Peninsula. The Bulgarian Church of the time, that was organized
following the Christianization of the Bulgarians in 846 AD, had senior Byzantine
clergy.
Thus, St. Clement, student and affiliate of the Slav apostles and
teachers Cyril and Methodius, became the first Macedonian Slav bishop, renowned
man of letters, teacher, and preacher of the Christian Gospels in the ninth and
tenth century. He is the founder of Slav literacy and literature in Macedonia.
The model he set out for his life was that of his teacher, the great Methodius,
and he took care and prayed not to sway from his ways. He knew Methodus like no
one else, for he had been with him from the days of his youth, and was witness
to his deeds and achievements. St. Clement was one of those Slav youths that the
Holy Bothers prepared as aides in their missions in Moravia and Panonia, and
later among the Macedonian Slavs. They were trained to translate the Holy Writ
and the Holy Scriptures from Greek into the language of the Macedonian Slavs.
One can rightly conclude that St. Clement was a part of the translating
activities of the Holy Brothers, as well as an author in his own stead. Not only
did he preach, he also wrote down his discourses, so as to assist the
inexperienced priests in their sermons. Led by such an aim he wrote sermons,
patterns for all holidays round the year.The Literary Activity of St.
Clement of OhridThe total number of all St. Clement's epistles and
morals has not yet been established. To this day they have not been collected in
one Complete Works. We find them in transcripts from the twelfth and thirteenth
century, where often St. John Chrisostomos is listed as the author, although the
content, language, and style reveal St. Clement as the author. He is also
probably the author of the Panonic Hagiography of Sts. Clement and Methodius. He
translated the Flower Triode that contains church songs sung from Easter to
Pentecost. There is the probability that he is the author of the Holy Service
and the Life of St. Clement, the Roman Pope, as well as of the oldest service
dedicated to St. Cyril and St. Methodius.
Gotse Delchev - Monument in Skopje, Macedonia
Georgi Nikolov Delchev (1872–1903) was an important revolutionary figure in Ottoman-ruled Macedonia and Thrace at the turn of the 20th century. He was one of the leaders of what is commonly known today asInternal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO), a paramilitary organization active in the Ottoman territories in Europe at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century
Nikola Karev - Monument in Skopje, Macedonia
Nikola Janakiev Karev was a revolutionary in Ottoman-ruled Macedonia. He was born 23 November 1877 in Kruševo and died 27 April 1905 in the village of Rajčani, both today in the Republic of Macedonia. Karev was a local leader of what later became known as the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO)
Dame Gruev - Monument in Skopje, Macedonia
Damian Jovanov Gruev or just Dame Gruev (Smilevo, January 19, 1871 - Rusinovo, December 23, 1906) was a Macedonian revolutionary, founder and one of the most prominent members of the Macedonian Revolutionary Organization.
Gate Macedonia - Monument in Skopje, Macedonia
Mother Teresa - Monument in Skopje, Macedonia
Fortress kale - Skopje, Macedonia
National Theater in Skopje, Macedonia
The "Liberators of Skopje" - Monument in Skopje, Macedonia
Millennium Cross - Skopje, Macedonia
Mother Teresa Museum - Skopje, Macedonia
Museum of the Macedonian Struggle - Skopje, Macedonia
