Paying a visit to the Macedonian Orthodox Church “Nativity of the Most Holy Mother Mary” in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and a meeting with the Macedonian community, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova rounded up her working visit to the United States.
She attended the morning sermon held by Father Sinisa Ristovski and had a brief meeting with the Metropolitan of the American-Canadian Diocese of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – OA, Bishop Methodius.
On behalf of the clergy, Father Sinisa stressed that it was a great honor for them to have President Siljanovska-Davkova present. “You bear a responsibility that inspires trust, respect and hope, with your every decision, initiative and power, to transform lives, illuminate the paths of truth and create bridges of cooperation and understanding between peoples”, Father Sinisa said after the liturgy.
The President expressed her satisfaction with the warm welcome from the representatives of the Macedonian community during her visit to New York and Detroit and pointed out that their actions and dedication are proof that wherever we are, we retain our Macedonian identity.
“And when I am in the United States, it is only because of you that I feel like I am at home. That is what makes me proud of you. We must regain our diaspora”, the President said.
She pointed out the importance of maintaining and strengthening ties with Macedonian emigrants and reaffirmed the efforts to establish a Diaspora Council and a Diaspora Registry.
Paying tribute to our people for their professional success even in the most competitive countries like the USA, the President wished them success.
Quoting Bernard Shaw who said that “you can change everything in life, but your homeland”, Siljanovska-Davkova said: “We must pass on what we have inherited to our children, if we want to survive.”
The President also visited the Sunday Church School that operates within the church, where around 120 Macedonian children have the opportunity to get acquainted with the Orthodox religion, Macedonian tradition and learn the Macedonian language.
