Archbishop Stefan cancels planned visit to the US and Canada for health reasons
Visit, scheduled for late August and to include events in Willowbrook (Chicago), was cancelled on doctors' advice; the Church gave no medical details.
Archbishop Stefan, head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric, has cancelled his announced trip to the American-Canadian Diocese for health reasons and on doctors' advice, the Church announced.
The visit, planned for the end of August and timed to coincide with gatherings and events of the American-Canadian Diocese, would this year have been hosted by the parish "St. Cyril and Methodius" in Willowbrook (Chicago).
Church statement and missing liturgy
The Church's brief notice says the visit was called off on the recommendation of medical staff but gives no details about the archbishop's condition. Archbishop Stefan also did not take part in the liturgy for the Feast of the Transfiguration on 19 August.
In its message the Office of the Holy Archiepiscopal Synod wrote: "The Office of the Holy Archiepiscopal Synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric notifies the public that, due to health reasons and on the recommendation of doctors, the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, His Beatitude Stefan, will not make the announced visit to the American-Canadian Diocese, which was to take place on the occasion of the forthcoming diocesan gatherings, this year hosted by the parish 'St. Cyril and Methodius' in Willowbrook (Chicago). We wish Archbishop Stefan, with God's help, a speedy recovery so that he may continue to lead our Holy Church for many more years," the statement reads.
The Synod closed the announcement by expressing wishes for the archbishop's speedy recovery and the resumption of his regular pastoral and administrative duties. No further timetable for travel or public appearances was provided.
Photo: Sloboden pechat / Dragan Mitreski
