Archbishop Ieronymos calls for national unity, but reject FΥROM’s use of name Macedonia

One day after hundreds of thousands of Greeks protested in Thessaloniki over developments in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia naming issue, a protest which he had said in advance that he did not support, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece called upon Greeks to exhibit prudence, unity, and clear-mindedness on the FYROM naming issue, while at the same time reiterating that he cannot accept the use of the name Macedonia by Skopje

Ieronymos underlined that of the full hierarchy of 82 Metropolitan bishops of the Greek Orthodox Church of Greece, only nine attended the massive Thessaloniki protest.

“The question is what do we prefer? Do we prefer the easy path or the difficult path?” Ieronymos asked rhororically, noting that he prefers the latter.

Referring to the stance of the church, Ieronymos reiterated that the 12-member Permanent Holy Synod, that it will not accept use of the name Macedonia or derivatives thereof by Skopje.

Ieronymos stressed that, “We must see with prudence, unity, and clear-mindedness what we shall do from now on. That is the position that expresses my views. I do not wish to say anything further at this time.”