New York - Archbishop Demetrios of America, while participating in the meetings of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople, was informed of the U.S. recognition of F.Y.R.O.M as "Republic of Macedonia" and made the following statement:

"I was very much saddened by the news of the unexpected, untimely and arbitrary recognition of the State of Skopje as 'Republic of Macedonia,' a name that defies history. This is a very negative development of an issue, which causes grief and is of the immediate concern to the Greek-American Community and to Hellenism around the world.

I am particularly saddened, because the long-time efforts to falsify and forge the historic truth about Macedonia have found fertile ground amid the circles of the American government, and particularly during an inopportune moment and juncture.

Macedonia as a historical, geographical and cultural term has been through the ages and for thousands of years an inseparable part of Hellenism and it has always been Greek and as such was visited by Apostle Paul when he was asked in a vision 'Come over to Macedonia and help us' (Acts 16: 9). He then traveled from Troas of Asia Minor to the city of Philippoi.

The Greek Orthodox Community in America, as it has done time and again, when critical issues of national interest were at stake will use all its might and every means at its disposal to defend this just cause and will fight vigorously against any attempt to falsify and forge the glorious name of Macedonia. We are confident that God will justify our sacred struggle."