Holidays Celebrating the Great Patron t. Clement of Ohrid is the Theophylact of Ohrid, Clement was born most acclaimed saint of the in the region then known as Kutmicevica, Macedonian people and the which is believed to have been close to patron of the Macedonian the lake. Clement participated in the Orthodox Church. His deeds go mission of Cyril and Methodius to Great Swell beyond religious work. He is not only Moravia. After the death of Cyril, Clement the first bishop, but also the first original accompanied Methodius on his journey author and educator, and the founder of from Rome to Pannonia and Great Moravia. the Ohrid Literary School. So since 2007, After the death of Methodius himself in the Day of St. Kliment Ohirdski, December 885, Clement headed the struggle against 8, is celebrated as a national holiday in the German clergy in Great Moravia along Macedonia. with Gorazd. After spending some time in Clement of Ohrid (835-916), and Naum jail, he was expelled from Great Moravia of Ohrid are the most renowned and loyal and in 885 or 886 reached the borders of disciples of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, the Bulgaria together with the other disciples, inventors of the Slavic alphabet. The works Naum of Preslav, Angelarius and possibly of St. Clement played a significant role in Gorazd. There they were commissioned by the development of Macedonian culture Boris I to instruct the clergy of the state in the and literacy. Especially important was the Slavic language. Clement was commissioned Ohrid Literary School that had about 3 500 by Boris I to organize the teaching of theology students. St. Clement used the Glagolitic to future clergymen in Kutmicevica. In 893 he script that was later replaced by the Cyrillic was ordained Archbishop of Dremvica (Velika), version. According to his hagiography by also in Kutmicevica. www.dmwc.org.mk • December 2014 7 Holidays Saint Clement of Ohrid was one of Christian Church, Pope Clement of Rome, the most prolific and important writers his name day and later his feast fell on 8 in Old Church Slavonic. He is credited December. The day of his death, 9 August, with the canonical Hagiography of Saint is celebrated as the day of all the 7 disciples Cyril and Saint Methodius. Clement also of St. Cyril and St. Methodius. Nowadays, translated the Flower Triode containing many churches, institutions, schools and church songs sung from Easter to associations bear his name. St. Clement Pentecost and is believed to be the author of Ohrid Award is the highest national of the Holy Liturgy and the Life of St. recognition for life-long achievements Clement of Rome, as well as of the oldest in the field of education, culture, art, service dedicated to St. Cyril and St. health-care, sports and environment. It is Methodius. presented ceremonially in the Parliament. Upon his death in 916 he was buried in On the eve of the holiday, Skopje National his monastery, Saint Panteleimon, in Ohrid. and University Library, which bears his Already during his lifetime, Clement was name, also organizes different events, very popular among the people. But after such as exhibitions, scientific meetings, his death, many miracles were ascribed and readings. St. Clement is the patron to him, creating a wide spread cult. Many saint of the City of Ohrid, and every year legends about his literary work and other the city pays tribute to the saint with teachings in such diverse areas as healing, different festivities. According to the agriculture and construction emerged. legends, it was the spirit of the saint that As his monastic name Clement is protected the city from many misfortunes. associated with another great saint of the MWC Magazine Editorial Board wishes you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2014!.