Advocating for Macedonia

CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST: REJECTED AT GREEK BORDER

Steve Pliakes, a well-known ethnic Macedonian activist from Canada, was turned back by Greek border officials at the border between the Republics of Macedonia and Greece. Mr. Pliakes attempted to cross the Bogorodica-Negocani (Niki) border crossing on July 6, 2002 to visit the land of his birth.

Greek border officials informed Mr. Pliakes his name was on that country’s “Inadmissible List”, although they could not explain why. Officials gave Mr. Pliakes an official document verifying that his name is registered on Greece’s “Inadmissible List”.

This is not the first time that Mr. Pliakes has been refused entry into Greece. The first time occurred in 1992 and since then he has been refused entry into Greece five times, including 1996 when he was part of the entourage travelling with the dance group “Makedonka” from Toronto. On that occasion, Mr. Pliakes’s wife Lilly Pliakes was allowed to enter Greece with the dance troupe while he had to stay behind.

Mr. Pliakes was born June 2, 1940, in the village of Zeleniche (Sklithron in Greek), and in 1952 legally emigrated from Greece to Canada. Since then, he has been allowed to visit his birthplace only twice.

Mr. Pliakes believes he was put on Greece’s blacklist right after becoming an activist for the rights of the ethnic Macedonians in Greece and elsewhere. Namely, in 1988 he became president of the United Macedonians Organization of Canada, an organization that espouses the ethnic, cultural and spiritual unity of all ethnic Macedonians, born in ethno-geographic Macedonia and their descendants. For the last two years Mr. Pliakes was also the president of the “St. Clement of Ohrid” Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral in Toronto.

Mr. Pliakes said, “Calling for the just treatment of the Macedonian minority in Greece should not be a crime. By this action, Greece has once again shown itself to be the antithesis of a democratic country where the open exchange of differing points of views is accepted and encouraged. This sort of high-handed conduct makes Greece a disgrace to the European Union.”

The Macedonian Human Rights Movement of Canada has been active on human rights issues for Macedonians since 1986. It pursues its dual roles of advocacy and education throughout Canada and in the Balkans by, among other actions, highlighting cases of human rights abuse or wrong-doing against members of the Macedonian minorities in the countries of the Balkans.
Bill Nikolov – Macedonian Human Rights Movement International July 31, 2002

THE VIEWS OF THE TRUTH

Steve Pliakes remembers the countless happenings of the past and speaks about them with remarkable eloquence, as if they happened today. Going back to his life in Aegean Macedonia, the period in the first years of immigration, and dealing with the new and unknown, he demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of the events, facts, truth, destiny, where nothing is left out or forgotten, but remained in his memory.

Individual events and developments are singled out through these pages that build the mosaic of time and truth. When it comes to the hero of the monograph, Steve Pliakes, his wife and other persons close to him, the facts show that it is about a spring of inexhaustible energy, and a unique mirror of the author’s approach to display an authentic story and objective reality.

As an explanation, Steve’s faced the harsh truth since his childhood, when he was a witness of the Macedonian partisan "Freedom Movement" born in the bosom of Macedonian children and Macedonian regions. It was their hope of liberty, self-identification, their survival and survival in the Aegean part of Macedonia; where patriotism was punished most harshly, whereby the Greek regimes used all types of means and ways to destroy every progressive and national spark, thought and action in their White Sea region.

Steve says that the Greeks hated Macedonians. They simply wanted to make them disappear forever from the country. To wipe them out of the ethnic map. He points out that they had three different charges against the Macedonians. The first was to be a communist. The second, to be Bulgarian. And third, the harshest one - when someone rummages in the pupil of your eye - to be Macedonian.

Surely one of these three charges could be imposed on anyone. And once a man was put in the whirlwind of the cruelty of the Greek islands or punished in prison only because they’d demanded justice and truth, then, almost always, there was no hope of returning home.

Witnessing the plight of his people, Steve, even as a child, longed to join the Movement. He longed it to happen as soon as possible. However, as a result of a string of concatenation of circumstances, it was too late for him because up to 1949 everything that was connected with waging war and libertarian challenges came to an end. He saw and listened how terrorized and abused were those Macedonians who refused to become Greeks or to give up and forget their Macedonian code. Their Macedonian language. Fears were high because the Greek authorities used any possible ways and means to punish any progressive thought, to destroy any progressive idea. Those were cruel methods. Even under the windows of their homes informer agents used to come to listen whether Macedonian language was spoken, whether Macedonian song was sung.

Even old people were forced to go on courses and evening schools to learn Greek. But Macedonians endured that horrible nightmare and agony bravely, firmly and with patriotism but they didn’t renounce their most sacred feature - their Macedonian identity.

Steve Pliakes as a person who reads a lot and he is well informed. In an occasion he said that one of the greatest Christian commandments states: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” However, this commandment did not apply to the time of Philip and Alexander of Macedon, especially after the battle in Hironea. Unfortunately, ever since then, conditionally to say after the First Ilinden for the Macedonians up to now antagonism between the Macedonians and Greeks has been at a very high level.

Steve Pliakes also says that in the literature is written that both hate and love, faith and battle, submission and cooperation, and evil thoughts towards one’s neighbor and all he possesses, continued to grow among both Christian peoples - the Greek and the Macedonians.

Part of this truth is still present even now, and many varieties of the neighbor’s life sometimes influence the future of co-existence, while other times they throw a dark light upon these paths and turn them into labyrinths.

To state the above, let us start at the beginning. It is a fact that at the moment Aegean Macedonia encompasses a large part of southern Macedonia and that within it, the national composition of the population has undergone huge ethnic changes, especially after the Balkan wars and the partitioning of Macedonia. Macedonians under Greek rule were, and still are subjected to assimilatory tortures and forced emigration, with the sole aim of changing the ethnic composition of Macedonia. This is done for the reason that the Macedonian people, according to its characteristics and customs, linguistically and ethnically, differs from the Greek.

For this reason, from the very first moment when the Greek bourgeoisie spread its power over Aegean Macedonia, it established a policy of physical extermination of the Macedonian people and changing the ethnologic composition to its own advantage. Thus, with the intention of erasing every possible trace that reminds of the Macedonian character of Aegean Macedonia, the Greek bourgeoisie adopted a law in November of 1926 to give Greek names to the villages and cities, mountains, fields, toponyms, rivers, and so on. Everything that remained on Macedonia and the Macedonian people.

According to Steve Pliakes during the time of the Civil War in Greece, during the period 1946-1949, they continued with the exodus of many Macedonians and members of the Greek communist party. As early as then, Macedonians were considered as potentially disloyal toward the Greek state. Therefore, on 1 October, 1947 a decree was adopted for taking away the right to citizenship, which was followed by steps for their expelling from at that time North Greece, while today Macedonia, but with a Greek character.

It is also a fact that during the Civil War in Greece, approximately 30,000 children aged between 2 and 14 years, the majority of which Macedonians, were driven out to former Yugoslavia and other Eastern European countries. At the time, more than 50,000 Macedonians were forced to emigrate due to the difficult and harsh reprisals to which members of the Macedonian national minority were subjected. More than 17,000 died in North Greece.

It is also a fact that on 23 August, 1953 a decree was adopted to colonize the border regions with “new colonists which have a healthy national conscience.” Therefore, Greeks settled in places from which Macedonians had emigrated. The same decree meant that numerous Macedonians, refugees from Greece, were deprived a Greek citizenship and their properties confiscated.

Steve Pliakes says: “In 1959 the Greek government adopted a law which predicted compulsory statements of loyalty. Hence, the Greek authorities demanded that the population in the villages surrounding Lerin (now Florina) and Kostur (now Kastoria) confirm publicly that they do not speak the Macedonian language. Such measures were also taken towards emigrants from Aegean Macedonia in Australia and Canada. In addition to this, in 1967 there was an interesting order that forbid the use of the Macedonian language, which was an act of taking away their citizenship, as well as other measures for assimilation of the Macedonians”, he states and continues.

“It is also a fact that assimilation of the Macedonians by the Greek authorities continues to take place even now, through the system of education. Тhe inability to find employment in any state institution for those who declare as Macedonians, and through an entire new series of laws and regulations which are discriminatory as regards the Macedonian national minority.

For instance, we will emphasize the decision of 1982 as regards the repatriation of Greek citizens and political refugees, which allowed only “Greeks by birth” to return to Greece, i.e. those who will give up their Macedonian identity and adopt Greek names. The law of 1985 also contains a discriminatory clause which prevents Macedonians in the Republic of Greece from attaining the right to ownership of property.

To top it all, in 1986 the Greek government dropped the “St. Cyril and Methodius” university in Skopje off the list of foreign academic institutions whose diplomas are acknowledged in Greece with the explanation that lectures at this university were in a language that was not “internationally recognized”, says Steve Pliakes.

This shows that the official negation of the existence of the Macedonian national minority remained constantly in Greek policy, regardless of the government that was in power: left, right or pro-fascistic.

In more recent times, Greek policy is once again turned against members of the Macedonian national minority. Similar destinies have the Turkish, Albanian, Vlah, Roma and other minorities that live in Greece. Some of the recidivism of Greek “democracy” continues to be evident.

According to Steve Pliakes: “It is also a fact that the Republic of Greece refused to recognize the Republic of Macedonia under its constitutional name with the explanation that the use of the name shows its territorial aspirations toward parts of Greek Macedonia. Pressuring the Republic of Macedonia, Greece imposed an unofficial severe trading blockade in the autumn of 1992 by closing its border to Macedonia in February 1994 with the aim of inflicting economic damage, degrading the infrastructure, and throwing its northern neighbor, the Republic of Macedonia“ on its knees.”

It is a fact that Greece rude and offensive returns Macedonians who were born or derived from the Aegean part of Macedonia to enter that country of the European Union, even though they have American, Canadian or Australian passports. Otherwise, all these citizens of the world are loyal, well known and recognized many of them businessmen, cultural and prominent citizens in new areas of the United States, Canada, Australia, the European Union and other countries.

This Greek policy toward the Republic of Macedonia with diverse diplomatic activities slowed down the process of its international recognition, and contributed toward the precedent of its being accepted in the United Nations under a temporary name. And Greece is strong because it is a member of the European Union.

However, it forgets that it is not nationally homogeneous, but is in fact a multi-national country bearing all of the potential political consequences; it needs to accept European regulations regarding the treatment of minorities and protection of their human and cultural rights; it is a country from which the word “democracy” originates; it is a country with wide commercial, cultural, and other potentials; alongside with Macedonia it is the land of the past, with the hope that it will also be the land of the future; and finally, it is a neighbor of the Republic of Macedonia, who should be the right hand to a better tomorrow”, states Steve Pliakes.

We must emphasize here that the Macedonian and Greek people, regardless of their policies, have always collaborated in good times and bad times. This has been confirmed in recent decades with the increasing collaboration between the two countries and their people in cultural and other fields. In this respect, numerous translations from Macedonian to Greek and vice-versa have been published, and there has been great collaboration between folk entertainment groups, theatrical and other associations. A large number of Greek intellectuals condemn the political injustice inflicted upon well-known and recognized Macedonian citizens who descend from Aegean Macedonia. We must also emphasize the significance of the Greek Helsinki Committee and other associations protecting human and other rights of every citizen in the Republic of Greece.

Greece’s signing of the Council of Europe Convention for Protection of National Minorities of September 1997, showed good signs of gradual positive changes in the attitude toward the minorities in Greece. This convention will probably lead to the disappearance of the reasons for Greek denial of the name of the Republic of Macedonia and the rights of the Macedonian and other minorities in Greece.

It is yet another fact that in most recent times Greece by far leads before all other foreign investors who have invested their capital in Macedonia. Thus, the participation of Greek companies in more than fifty investment projects amounting over 230 million dollars represents, on the one hand, a powerful potential and recovery, and on the other hand it means economic dependence of Macedonian economy on Greek investors.

Good economic relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Greece continue providing expectations that collaboration and investment policy of both countries will continue in future.

PRESIDENT OF THE “UNITED MACEDONIANS”

In Canada, Steve closely monitors the activities of the highly recognized and one of the oldest organizations of Macedonian immigrants, "United Macedonians". Its agenda and very impressive engagement have attracted Steve to join the organization shortly after his marriage in the Macedonian Orthodox Church "St. Clement of Ohrid" in Toronto. He’s become one of the most active members and supporters being a strong champion of affirmation of the Macedonian cause and Macedonian multiethnic community in Canada. Many of his commitments, perseverance and concrete actions have been effectively implemented. This is done through various forms, content and ways, and through direct events during the presidency of Steve.

Namely, in 1988 when he was elected president of the United Macedonians, a new page was open in the programming, organizational and manifestation aspect. The president, together with his associates, like-minded and numerous faithful members, has really made quite a step. It is a fact that Steve has invested considerable efforts to innovate and make its work more dynamic. To introduce a part of modern approaches to show and prove that the Macedonian nation and country have got deep roots. That their civilization and national dignity have a centuries-long verification and self-confirmation.

The year 1988 is marked as very significant by the two very important events, both attended by the delegation of the "United Macedonians". The first event is already mentioned - World First Meeting of children- refugees in the Macedonian metropolis of Skopje. The second took place in New York on 10 August. Then a group of virtuous patriots organized a march to the building of the world assembly - to the United Nations on the East River. The Board of the "United Macedonians" agreed when Steve Pliakes asked for the assistance and support. And, in fact, they were the leading group that represented the Macedonians at the United Nations. On the same day, marking 75 tragic years from the partition of Macedonia, the six-member delegation climbed the 33rd floor where they were admitted to the General Secretariat of the United Nations. There they explained the whole story, that they wanted our Macedonia to be united again and be one whole under the skies of Vardar, Pirin, and Aegean Macedonia and Mala Prespa.

Furthermore, through time and activities, Steve and his friends have tended to show and prove in Canada and America that the Macedonian people is biblical people and not accidentally they are mentioned in the Scriptures several times; that the continuity of its existence is an indelible evidence; or that the greatest strategist and commander was not accidentally named Alexander of Macedonia. Migrations, wars, violence and exodus have constantly followed them. But the Macedonians were and remain Macedonians in their own territory and the Balkan Peninsula, in the southern flank of the European continent.

In 1991 Steve Pliakes was again re-elected president of the famous organization "United Macedonians" of Canada. That same year, September 8 is the most important day in the contemporary Macedonian history. The most important event for Macedonians wherever they are all over the world, who have waited so long to have their own independent country of origin. Namely, on September 6, a referendum for an independent, sovereign Republic of Macedonia was held. After so many wars, occupying destruction and untold deaths the day for the Macedonian people came to decide by themselves and they actually did - they decided to be on their own.

At the referendum organized in the Republic of Macedonia and in major immigrant communities of Macedonians all over the world the result was impressive. Even 96 percent of the Macedonian people voted to have their independent Macedonian state.

Steve’s talked about the participation of the Macedonian emigrants to vote in Canada. The polling stations were opened in Toronto and Windsor in churches "St. Clement of Ohrid", "Saint Elijah" and "St. Nicholas", as well as the park "United Macedonians". After counting the votes, the result was even more impressive - 99% were in favor of independent Macedonia. International verification followed. The recognition of Macedonia has started by Sofia, and followed onward by Ankara, Moscow...

Recognitions from all over the world continued. It was very important that the United States also stood on our side. United Macedonian Organization didn’t have the necessary American links, so, according to Steve Pliakes, they contacted the Macedonian Patriotic Organization (MPO) from Gary, Indiana. They addressed them with the message saying, "If you, as you claim, are a Macedonian organization, then let's work jointly."

“We have prepared a resolution, and we agreed that we will work more forcefully for the recognition of our country,” says Steve. The two organizations put their signatures on the Resolution - Steve Pliakes for the United Macedonian Organization of Canada and Ivan Lebamov for the Macedonian Patriotic Organization of US, read the annals.

From that day onwards, i.e. from September 8, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia and the Macedonian people have sailed on their sovereign, independent path. And we, says Pliakes, have promoted our cause and to this day we all work for the good of the Macedonians, for the wellbeing of the Macedonian state. Hope dies last. And we hope that one day Macedonia will be united.

Unsurprisingly, but it was a sad day for us, underlines Steve, because in 1992 Macedonia betrayed our history and changed the sixteen-ray flag of King Philip and Alexander of Macedon. We know under what coercion and blackmail, under what circumstances it was done. But it should be borne in mind that Macedonia will never be united without our flag with the sun. We’re looking forward to the new, our sovereign state of Macedonia, but we must go back forgetting not our roots in ethnic Macedonia.

Till the 1950’s, the Macedonian emigrants in Canada organized themselves within village associations and regional groups, respectively that developed social and cultural activities among their members. At that time, there were organizations under the influence of the Bulgarian and Greek propaganda that gathered the Macedonians from all parts of Macedonia.

Especially after the Second World War, some individuals and groups of Macedonians in Canada and in the USA that seriously started considering organizing the Macedonians on a clearly national basis. At the same time, they raised the issue regarding the preservation of the Macedonian national identity and Macedonian national unification of the Macedonian immigrants. In that period a group of Macedonians undertook the initiative to establish a Macedonian national and patriotic organization. In this context, the first undertaking was the organization of 1958 picnic which, for the organizers, was unexpectedly successful.

The Ilinden picnic became traditional and it is organized every year on the first Sunday of August. This picnic is of special significance for the national life of the Macedonians from Toronto and beyond. It symbolizes the unity of all Macedonian emigrants.

Upon the successful picnic in 1958, the Organizational Committee decided to address the Macedonians with a letter, and to explain why it was necessary to establish a Macedonian national organization which would support the interests of all Macedonian emigrants in North America.

Hence, on 28 April 1959, a Macedonian conference for all Macedonians was held at the King Edward Hotel. The constitution of the organization was adopted there, and a decision was reached to establish the Organization of the “United Macedonians”.

From the very moment of its establishment, the organization “United Macedonians” had an active approach towards solving a number of important issues and demands of special national significance for the Macedonian emigrants in Canada. One of the most important tasks and needs for the Macedonian emigrants was construction of a number of Macedonian Orthodox churches with the aim of satisfying the religious, cultural, and national needs of all the Macedonians in general.

The “United Macedonians” undertook a wide range of cultural and educational activities. In fact, this organization was registered as a Macedonian national, cultural and educational organization. Within these activities, it appears as an organizer of numerous important cultural manifestations for the Macedonian emigrants in Toronto.

The “United Macedonians”, during its existence, has managed to unite the Macedonians on both a national and a spiritual level. It has developed numerous activities in the life of the emigrants and managed to get rid of the influences of foreign propaganda. It has grown into a strong nucleus for uniting the Macedonian emigrants from all parts of Macedonia.

On 16 November 1968 the “United Macedonians” began activities for establishing their own branches in Hamilton and Windsor in Canada, as well as in Detroit and Columbus in the USA. These activities continued at the meetings in Detroit on 7 June 1969 and in Hamilton on 17 May 1970. Hence, after expanding the activities of the organization as a national organization of the “United Macedonians for North America”, a Convention was held in Toronto on 4-6 September 1970, when a Resolution was adopted.

The “United Macedonians” organized numerous protests in front of the Greek, Bulgarian and former Yugoslav consular offices, demanding protection of the national rights of the Macedonians in these countries. In addition, this organization was one of the organizers of the protest in front of the United Nations Headquarters, as well as in front of the Parliament of the province of Ontario in Toronto, demanding recognition of the Republic of Macedonia. Furthermore, in September 1991, it organized a referendum for sovereign and independent Macedonia, and fund raising activities, as well for supporting Macedonia, especially Pirin Macedonia and Mala Prespa.

Until the establishment of “The Miladinov Brothers” literary group, the “United Macedonians” had also been the organizer of the manifestation “Days of the Macedonian Literature and Literacy”, which was held in May and was dedicated to the work of the Macedonian and pan- Slavic first educators, Sts. Cyril and Methodius. This cultural manifestation was organized in order to bring the culture of the Macedonian people closer to the Canadian cultural public.

The organization “United Macedonians” was also an organizer of the “Goce’s Days” dedicated to the Macedonian revolutionary and a cultural worker, Goce Delčev. For the first time this manifestation was organized under the name “Goce’s Komitadji Evening” in 1972. The interest for this manifestation has constantly increased in the recent years. Namely, in 1999, the “United Macedonians” celebrated its 40th Anniversary. On that occasion, Metropolitan Kiril was a special guest and he delivered an inspirational speech.

In February 1979, during the annual assembly of the members, they decided to erect a monument to the fallen soldiers for Macedonia. Despite certain misunderstandings, the monument was erected in front of the Church of St. Clement of Ohrid, and it was formally unveiled on 26 January 1980. The members of “United Macedonians” visit this monument every year, on the first Saturday of August, at 12 o’clock exactly, in honor of Ilinden. Thus, since 1980 the Macedonians always lay wreaths on this memorial on each Ilinden, 11 October, “Gotse Days”, “Days of Culture” and other holidays. It is also customary for the priests to hold a religious sermon for all soldiers that had fallen for Macedonia in the course of each year.

Within the “United Macedonians”, until recently, there were two schools, one for studying Macedonian language and literature, and the other for studying Macedonian folklore and culture. The school for Macedonian language and literature no longer exists, while the school for folklore and culture grew into the “Goce Delčev” cultural and performing society.

The “Goce Delčev” folk dance group was established in 1986 and is one of the most active groups in Canada. It participated in almost all multicultural manifestations in Toronto; it participated in the Canadian Independence Day celebrations - on 1 July, as well as in various parades and students’ dances; they were frequent guests to the Macedonians in Kitcheners and Hamilton; it participated in the caravan of the nations and the so-called CHIN manifestations, as well as in many other gatherings and manifestations. In 1988 it participated in the “Ilindenski denovi” in Bitola.

In addition, the “Solun” soccer club used to function within the “United Macedonians” that participated in the Macedonian-Canadian league. This organization owns a property known as the “Macedonian park”, when the Macedonian monastery St Ilija which foot stone was set by Metropolitan Kiril, who was often dear guest to the “United Macedonians”. He was invited on all celebrations and manifestations, and his presence enriched the contents of this Macedonian national organization.

Therefore, Steve Pliakes rightly says that the organization "United Macedonians" is the base of the prospects of future possible development of the Macedonian emigration in the North American region, which is an organization of national, cultural and ecclesiastical field. "United Macedonians" were the most important factor to unite the Macedonians and presenting and promoting the inalienable sacred Macedonian name, honor and glory. This organization is the custodian of the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Macedonian people. It is the first Macedonian national patriotic organization in their ranks and significant events, (especially for the big day Ilinden) gather most Macedonians from all parts of Macedonia.

The work that "United Macedonians" achieved and continues to upgrade and expand is large, bright and unchangeable. Therefore, the law and the merits that this Macedonian organization occupies is special, very important in the contents of the recent history of Macedonian emigrants in Canada.

PRESIDENT OF “ST. CLEMENT OF OHRID MACEDONIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL TORONTO

At the beginning of the new century, in 2000, the Macedonian Orthodox Church "St. Clement of Ohrid" in Toronto was held one of the most important board elections. Thus, the cathedral "St. Clement of Ohrid" received a new Board of 21 members. For the president was elected the prominent businessman and donor Steve Pliakes. Within the Board were also elected the following persons: for the vice presidents Bill Popovski and Mihajlo Dika, for Secretary Mitko Roshtankovski, Assistant Secretary - Dr. Andy Plukovski, and for treasurers were elected Danny Globochki and Ilya Shuklinovski. In addition the Executive Board, were elected 10 members for the Board.

The new leadership headed by Steve Pliakes in its program strived for affirmation of the Macedonian community in Toronto and beyond, to revive the activities of all existing sections, forming a Committee to work with the youth, cooperation with the Synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, intensifying informational and educational activities, and preparing and printing the By Law of "St. Clement of Ohrid".

The church to which Steve Pliakes was president from 2000 to 2002 is the pivot of most activities that Macedonians develop in Toronto and beyond, and yet another motive for the expression of love and respect for their native country Macedonia. The church St. Clement of Ohrid is the largest center of the Macedonians coming from all parts of Macedonia. It is a place of friendship of Macedonians from seven to seventy-seven. In other words, it is a Macedonian center for the generations yet to come.

The initiative for establishing the Macedonian church community and its construction was born on the fourth Ilinden picnic National Organization "United Macedonians" held on July 29, 1962. It was an expression of the strong love to the ancestral country, Macedonia, which any expatriate carries deep in their heart. More than eight thousand Macedonians from Toronto and surrounding areas gathered in the area of Don Mills. This picnic created a great excitement with all present because for the first time in Toronto was present a Macedonian bishop – the Bishop of Zletovo and Strumica Diocese, His Eminence Naum. Together with the very reverend father Kiril Stojanovski they addressed those present and held a commemoration service in the Macedonian mother tongue. It was an unforgettable experience and left positive imprints in church life among Macedonians. Therefore it is rightly said that this meeting of organized Ilinden celebration meant belief, desire, unity and love for the homeland of the Macedonian immigrants in Toronto and the surrounding area. Later, with the restoration of the Ohrid Archbishopric a spark was ignited for the century-old church and national living of the Macedonian people.

At the large gathering, however, held on 7 August 1962 in the hotel "King Edward", a decision was made to build a church that would be named St. Clement of Ohrid. Prominent expatriate Spiro Sanders, from the village of Zhelevo, region of Lerin, was appointed President, while Kosta Andrus and Paul Bazel-Vasilevski were elected as vice-presidents. In addition, the Board of Directors consisted also of Peter Floroff, Dan Pappas as secretaries, while Mike Neshevich and Paul George were elected treasurers, while the Supervisory Board included: Jim Sanders, Stevo Todorovski, Van Petroff, Viktor Paskaloff, John Cervenko, Blagoja Todorovski and Louis Misios.

The ceremony was attended by several hundred Macedonian immigrants, as well as by Bishop of Zhletovo and Strumica Diocese, His Eminence Naum, and the very reverend Kiril Stojanovski. They were the first Macedonian church-national missionaries in the largest Macedonian colony in Canada, who, for the first time on August 12, 1962, in the Zhelevo Hall in Toronto, conducted both a religious service in Macedonian language, and the first baptism. It was an event that remains in memory and is registered with capital letters in the history of the church community.

Among the most significant and notable dates of the church community of St. Clement of Ohrid is, of course, December 12, 1962 when the church was registered with the Canadian authorities and whose document was sent to a number of Macedonian families. The aim was to raise morale and trust among Macedonian emigrants, regardless from which part of Macedonia they’ve come and who, not by their fault, have satisfied their religious needs in non-Macedonian temples, most of which were built precisely from the financial support of the Macedonians, especially those from Aegean Macedonia.

The activities of the members of the newly formed church community and the organization "United Macedonians" were more and more intense from day by day and more important in achieving the great idea for their Macedonian Orthodox Church. Thus, within a period of two years, they collected a large sum of money and they bought a site for the future temple in central and rich Thorncliffe Park in East York, a city twinned with Skopje. As a result, on April 5, 1964, on this Macedonian sacred piece of land in the presence of more than 500 people, friends of the Macedonians and municipal representatives of the Leaside community, the foundation stone of the Church was laid. On this occasion, in a special box a special inscription with the names of all members of the church board and their birthplaces in Macedonia was written in Macedonian and English, and it was laid down as well. The model of the painter Peter Stoyanoff from Zhelevo, region of Lerin, who offered the image of today's cathedral, was used as a project.

One year later, on April 18, 1965, the Archbishop of Ohrid and Skopje and the first Macedonian Metropolitan, Dositej, together with the Bishop for Zhletovo and Strumica Bishopric, Naum, very reverend Nestor Popovski and Atanas Popov, as well as the archdeacon Metropolitan Kiril of Polog and Kumanovo Diocese, in the presence of several hundred Macedonian immigrants from all parts of Macedonia, consecrated the temple of St. Clement of Ohrid.

With the opening of the Church community, the Macedonian immigrants began to live their own Macedonian church life. Each year they have a richer, more diverse, increasingly important, self-conscious and attractive church life. Because it is a place for all new comers. There Macedonians from all parts of Toronto go there to pray before in front of the altar of God for life and health, success and happiness. The church services are attended by many people, and weddings and baptisms enrich the souls of the Macedonians and they are the best indicator that the Macedonian ethnic community has progressed and it is getting bigger and more developed. Although the Macedonian people in their original homeland are divided in several parts, although destiny has dispersed them to many meridians, at least here, in Toronto, they are in one place together.

In the years that passed, MOC St. Clement of Ohrid has become a second home for many Macedonian immigrants. In the church community there are members who assist and donate, many enthusiasts, many of whom do not want to even mentioning their names, who work and contribute with a strong love and zeal. They do this because they believe in their cause, and in the goodness of all who proudly keep their heads up and their hearts filled, they speak with a strong admiration about the road that the Macedonian has gone in order to arrive and have today such national buildings making so impressive achievements.

The activities of this temple are remarkable, magnificent, lasting. The Church has hosted numerous convocations, gatherings, charitable and humanitarian actions, of youth meetings, and international gatherings. In the three church halls theater plays are held, songs are sung, Macedonian dances are performed, and Macedonian mother tongue is preserved. It is here that the children learn first letters of the Cyrillic alphabet which the Macedonians read write and study in their county and around the world.

In the church of St. Clement of Ohrid, on August 1, 1969, the enthronement of the new bishop Kiril of the newly formed US-Canadian-Australian-Macedonian Diocese took place. This event is written in capital letters in the history of the Macedonian Orthodox Church in the Diaspora. Then in October the same year, in this temple the first diocesan assembly was held, while in September 1975 it hosted the first convocation of the Bishopric, an event that the church communities in Canada and the United States organize for more than four decades.

Within the church of St. Clement of Ohrid a number of associations and sections are active make great contribution to the overall community life, which affirm the Macedonian community in Toronto, Canada and beyond, and with that they add to the glory of Macedonia. These are: Ladies’ Auxiliary, folk group "Macedonian", literary association "Braka Miladinovci",the Church choir, drama club, youth association with its reciting, historical-geographical, chess and sports clubs, Macedonian Sunday school, pensioners’ clubs and other sections.

However, it seems that the activity of the folk group "Makedonka" has a special role in the overall life of the young Macedonian generations in Toronto and beyond. Since it was established in April 1960 to date, it is the nursery of young people from Macedonian origin who promote and represent the rich Macedonian folklore in Canada and worldwide. Therefore it is rightly said that "Makedonka" is an ambassador of dance and song of the Macedonian people and of Macedonia.

PRESIDENT OF THE OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

The name and work of Steve Pliakes is closely associated with the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008. He was one of the main sponsors for Macedonian athletes. Prior to that, due to his activities and contribution to the Macedonian athletes from Canada, Steve Pliakes was elected President of the Olympic Committee of Macedonians in Canada.

For the Olympic Games in Athens, Steve’s made special preparations because he had to travel to the country of his ancestral roots. Namely, in the Olympic Village in Athens, among other athletes of the world, the Olympians from Macedonia defending the colors of our country were also accommodated. They were led by the Secretary General and MOC director Zoran Gapich and Nase Nasev, where they stayed from 13 to 29 August 2004.

In Athens, Macedonia was represented by ten Olympians in five sports disciplines. Swimmers were the most numerous, but for all four of them these Games were not their first such experience. Vesna Stojanovska, Alexander Miladinovski and Zoran Lazarevski swam in Sydney as well, while Aleksandar Malenko after an eight year hiatus returned to the Games after performances at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Then performed kayaker Laze Popovski, athletes Alexandra Vojneski, Vane Stojanov, Divna Pesich with air rifle, and wrestlers Mohammed Ibragimov and Shihamir Osmanov, as well as handball judges Marjan and Dragan Nacevski.

Macedonian flag was raised in the Olympic village on Ilinden as planned, and Macedonia was a part of the Balkan Olympic House. The flag-bearer at the opening ceremony was Steve Pliakes.

The Olympic Games are a major international event, including summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in various competitions. Olympics are considered the biggest sports competition in the world where more than 200 countries participate. Nowadays, the Olympic Games are held every two years, alternately Winter and Summer Olympics. It is interesting to mention that the first Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece, in the 8th BC, but the Macedonians were not allowed to participate in the games for several reasons. Only Alexander III of Macedonia participated in the Olympics.

According to historical data, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was set up in 1894 when this institution became the executive body of the Olympic Movement. Then, the Olympic Games were revived in 1896. However, world wars led to the cancellation of the Games in 1916, 1940 and 1944. In addition major protests during the Cold War II led to limited participation in the games in 1980 and 1984.

Olympic Movement consists of international sports federations, national Olympic committees and organizing committees for each Olympic Games. The celebration includes many rituals and symbols, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. The number of participants ranges of more than 13,000 athletes competing at the summer and winter Olympics in 33 different sports and 400 disciplines. The top three athletes in all disciplines receive Olympic medals - gold for the first, silver for the second, and bronze for the third place.

Games have grown to the point that nearly every nation competes, and therefore Macedonia as a sovereign and independent state is among the countries participating in the Olympics as well. Every two years the media exposure of the Olympic games allow less well-known athletes to gain national, and in some cases international glory. Games also represent a major opportunity for the host city to show its best to the whole world.

Summer Olympic Games in 2004 were held in the capital of Greece, Athens, home of the modern Olympics that were great challenge for Steve Pliakes. He had a desire, after Alexander III of Macedonia, to be a part of the Olympic Games in Athens too.

At the 2004 Olympics in Athens 202 countries participated from all corners of the world, and 5501 teams. The athletes won 301 medals in 28 different sports. It was the second time that Athens had the honor to be a host to the modern games. The first time was back in 1896.

In the Olympic Village in Athens, the athletes from Macedonia who defended the colors of our country, among other athletes of the world, were also accommodated. They were led by the MOC Secretary General and director, Zoran Gapich and Nase Nasev, and stayed there from 13 to 29 August 2004.

Steve Pliakes arrived at the Olympic Games in Athens via Vienna, and he entered his home country without any problem in spite the fact that he was banned to visit this country. Fortunately and as planned with Nase Nasev, the arrival of Lilly and Steve Pliakes, as the most important sponsors of the Olympic Games in Athens, was marked by great and warm hospitality.

On the opening day of the Olympics, Steve was given the Macedonian flag and he stood in front of the Macedonian Olympic team overwhelmed by emotions. After the announcement of the Macedonian team was made, Steve stepped at the stadium first. His hands were shaking with excitement while he was carrying the Macedonian flag in his homeland, but he held it firmly and he proudly marched forward. He carried the flag until the end of the opening ceremony of the Games.

Those moments of joy, excitement, pride and pleasure have remained in lasting memories of Steve Pliakes. Therefore, after the Olympic Games in Athens, Steve Pliakes gave a statement saying that in those moments he was the happiest Macedonian in the world.

As an explanation, the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 were assessed as a great success, given that security and organization were exceptionally good and only a few visitors reported minor problems, mostly related to transport or accommodation. The only noticeable problem was the small attendance at preliminary rounds.

Steve Pliakes was the person who also carried the Macedonian flag in 2008 at the Olympics in Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is one of the most populated cities in the world, with a population of about twenty million inhabitants in 2010. Beijing is a political, cultural and educational center of the country and is a home to the largest state-owned companies in China. This metropolis is located in northern China and is politically organized as a municipality under the direct administration of the government.

Beijing is a major transportation hub in the country, with many rail and road lines, in which two million passengers daily are transported only by the underground. It is a metropolis with direct aerial lines connecting it to the rest of the world, where the family of Pliakes arrived for the Olympic Games.

According to the words of Steve Pliakes, Beijing is one of the four great old capitals of China. The city was at the heart of Chinese history for centuries and therefore it has many monuments from different historical eras, and all of them have national value. The city is known for its palaces, temples and large stone walls and gates. Art treasures and universities have made this city a cultural center of the Chinese people, both throughout history and nowadays.

Beijing Olympics were a great challenge for Steve Pliakes. Here, as one of the major sponsors of the Macedonian athletes, he’s expressed strong love for his ancestral country Macedonia through these athletes. The act of carrying the Macedonian flag at the Olympic Games in Beijing, like he did in Athens, was an exciting event for Steve and his family, for which he received many accolades and awards. For Steve Pliakes the act of carrying the Macedonian flag is going to remain an unforgettable and unrepeatable experience.

Edited with permission from: Steve Pliakes Monograph by Slave Katin