We, the Macedonians and the Greeks both practice the same religion. We are Eastern Orthodox. Since 1913, when the
Greeks occupied Aegean Macedonia they forced the Macedonian people to follow the Gregorian calendar. Not the Julian
calendar as they had up until then. So that all of the dates that were most important to the Macedonian people were changed.
We were forced to celebrate Christmas not on January 7th but on December 25th, also all Saints days were changed. Saints
day were very important for the people. On these days the celebration took the place of a birthday party, because your name
day was celebrated at this time. Everything that was dear and familiar to the Macedonians was taken away from them.
The biggest and most important holiday of the Macedonians is the Ilinden uprising in August 2, 1903. In Canada it is held on
the first weekend in August. But in Greece this holiday cannot be held at the correct date, it is only allowed on July 20 of each
year. The Ilinden uprising commemorates the revolution of the Macedonians against the Ottoman Empire. And this celebration
was only allowed recently in Aegean Macedonia.
Is there anything that was not disallowed or changed by the Greek government. No, there isn't. The Greeks tried
unsuccessfully to dehumanize the Macedonian people. It is a battle they will not win!
Ilinden |