Rome, 24 May 2023 (MIA) - A prayer service was held at the grave of St.Cyril in the Rome-based San Clemente basilica on Wednesday, administered by Metropolitans Pimen and Josif.

Metropolitan Pimen said a year has passed since the country received the joyful news that the Macedonian church has been admitted to the family of Orthodox churches as autocephalous.

"The sanctity of the Orthodox church reaffirms the unity of diversities, and we Macedonians are not giving up in our struggle to secure a spot for our Macedonian orthodox church in that unity," said Pimen.

After the service, Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi, who is leading the state-church delegation to the Rome observances of May 24-Day of Pan-Slavic Educators Ss.Cyril and Methodius, laid a wreath at St.Cyril's grave.

Later today, Speaker Xhaferi will lay a wreath at the memorial plate in Macedonian language, which honors St.Cyril at the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica.

The first obeisance at St.Cyril's grave in the San Clemente basilica was organized back in 1969, at the 1100th anniversary from the saint's death, and state-church delegations have observed May 24 with the highest honors since.

Photo: MIA archive