Skopje, North Macedonia, June 15, 2026
Abp. Michael (L), Abp. Stefan (R). Photo: mpc-spe.mk
His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey (Orthodox Church in America) recently led a pilgrimage group, “In the Footsteps of St. Nikolai (Velimirović),” visiting holy sites in Serbia, North Macedonia, and Kosovo that were important in the ministry of the great Holy Hierarch.
As OrthoChristian previously reported, Abp. Michael, Archpriest John Parker, dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary in South Canaan, PA, Archpriest Josiah Trenham of St. Andrew Orthodox Church in Riverside, CA (Antiochian Archdiocese), and others had the honor of concelebrating with His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia at St. Sava’s Cathedral in Belgrade before the wonderworking Belt of the Theotokos, which was brought from Vatopedi Monastery.
And on Wednesday, June 10, the pilgrims met His Beatitude Archbishop Stefan, primate of the Macedonian Orthodox Church-Ohrid Archbishopric, at St. Panteleimon Monastery on the outskirts of Skopje.
Photo: mpc-spe.mk
“Archbishop Stefan offered generous words of welcome to the pilgrims, including a brief reflection on the history of the Macedonian Orthodox Church and the apostolic roots of Christianity in the region,” reports the OCA.
The hierarchs exchanged gifts and the pilgrims were all treated to monastic hospitality. Abp. Stefan and Abp. Michael spoke about the growth of the Church, life at St. Tikhon’s Seminary, where St. Nikolai spent his final years, and the formation of clergy and faithful to serve the Church.
The OCA formally recognized the autocephaly of the Macedonian Church in July 2025, and Abp. Stefan concelebrated with His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington and All America and Canada that September. “We know one another when we visit one another, especially when we pray the Liturgy together,” the Macedonian primate said.
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