MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ELECTED - Part 05

6% loan notes interest payments Soon after the new board of directors took over the business of the church, it was faced with the demand to pay for the accrued interest on the 6% promissory notes dated February 25, 1964, in Toronto. The interest was payable bi-annually on the last days of June and December of each year. The dilemma was what to pay first, the mortgage company, the bank loan or the members' loans. To illustrate the financial problems we had in 1966, it is enough to mention that the new administration was unable to pay the 6% interest accrued on the members' loans. In order to get paid, people threatened with court action. The number of people who resorted to this kind of demand was large. The administration had no choice but to find the money and pay the interest. The first demand came on January 10th, 1966. The demand for payment of the interest was for the whole year of 1965, although the first half of the year was the responsibility of the old board of directors. Here are the people rightfully asking the church, with a register letter from their lawyer’s office, for the overdue interest on their 6% loan notes:

1) Kosta Andrew 12500.00x6% = $750.00 18) Marlene Evans 1000.00x6% = $60.00

2) Michael Neshevich 5000.00x6% = $300.00 10) John Evans 1000.00x6% = $60.00

3) Chris Neshkov 1000.00x6% = $60.00 20) Chris Floroff 2000.00x6% =$120.00

4) Elia George 7000.00x6% = $420.00 21) Thomas George 1000.00x6% = $60.00

5) Van Petroff 10000.00x6% = $600.00 22) George Nesevich 100.00x6% = $6.00

6) Chris Bozanin 1000.00x6% = $60.00 23) Effie Nesevich 100.00x6% = $6.00

7) Spiro Bozanin 2000.00x6% = $120.00 24) James Trentos 1000.00x6% = $60.00

8) Thomas James 2500.00x6% = $150.00 25) Steve Todorovski 1000.00x6% = $60.00

9) James Minas 2000.00x6% = $120.00 26) George Milosh 1000.00x6%$ 60.00

10) Spiro Saunders 1000.00x6 % = $60.00 27) Paul Mangos 100.00x6% = $6.00

11) Peter Evans 1000.00x6% = $60.00 28) Dushan Makrevski 100.00x6% = $6.00

12) Sam Andrews 1000.00x6% = $60.00 20) Chris Bilkovski 1000.00x6% = $60.00

13) Alex Brown 1000.00x6% = $60.00 30) Natso Christoff 300.00x6% = $18.00

14) Gus Constantin 1000.00x6% = $60.00 31) Angie Costandin 500.00x6% = $30.00

15) Todor Christoff 300.00x6% = $30.00 32) Chris Vasilevich 2000.00x6% = $120.00

16) George Dronoff 1000.00x6% = $60.00 33) Mara Neshevich 500.00x6% = $30.00

17) Vicky Missios 2500.00x6% = $75.00 34) Hope Kudelfki 2500.00x6% = $75.00 Total amount owing $4014.00 The next such demand came through a legal action: IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE COUNTY OF YORK BETWEEN THE PLAINTIFFS : Kosta R. Andrews, Van Petroff, Elia George and Michael Nesevich and The Macedonian Orthodox Church Congregation Saint Clement of Ohrid, Toronto, Canada. The writ of summons #8309 dated July 27, 1966. That summons dealt with the demand for payment of the interest on the 6% notes for the period of January 1st to June 30th, 1966 for the interest accrued and overdue in the amount of $1035.00 plus $100.00 for costs.

The third demand came through registered mail dated August 4th, 1966 for the period of January 1st to June 30th, 1966. It was typical to receive such warnings from the lawyer’s office of Ferguson, Montgomery, Cassel and Mitchell, Barristers and Solicitors.

85 Richmond Street West, Toronto.

Re: Accrued Interest on 6% Notes We have been retained to act on behalf of the following to take such legal action as we deem necessary to collect on their behalf from the Macedonian Orthodox Church Congregation, Saint Clement of Ohrid, Toronto, Canada, the interest due to them as holders of 6% Notes. The principal amounts are shown below together with the accrued interest owing thereon.

Thomas James 2500 x 6%=$75.00, James Minas 2000 x 6% =$60.00, Peter Evans 1000 x 6% =30.00, John Evans 1000 x 6% =$30.00, Marlene Evans 1000 x 6%=$30.00, Spiro Bozanin 1000 x 6%= $60.00, Chris Bozanin 1000 x 6%=$30.00, Alex Brown 1000 x 6%=$30.00, Todor Christoff 500 x 6%=$15.00, George Dronoff 1000 x 6%=$30.00, Paul Mangos 100 x 6%=$3.00, Chris Neshkov 1000 x 6%=$30.00, Tommy Trentos 100 x 6%= $3.00, James Trentos 1000 x 6%=$30.00 Total Amount $456.00 As you can see, the members at the time were putting pressure on the new board of directors, knowing very well the financial position of the church. As I have indicated, I took over as secretary-treasurer after the elections of September 25, 1965. Soon after, thanks to Mr. John Argiris, we were able to engage a chartered accountant by the name of Stan A. Senn, both a wonderful and wise man as our bookkeeper. Having a chartered accountant for me was the best thing that I could have asked. We began to issue monthly financial statements. My monthly statements were audited but the church books, before September 1965, were not audited. This was the case since we did not, at that time, employ a bookkeeper. The board relied on the control committee and I was one of them.

The members of the control committee were members of the board of directors, at the same time. Members of the board were controlling the board of directors and the finances of the church but, that was then. We had no choice but to trust each other. The chartered accountant, Mr. Senn, during the year 1966 also audited the church books, from the beginning of our congregation, to September 1965. In our first financial statement, for the period of September 25 to October 31st, 1965, the members' loans were not mentioned but in the next monthly statement, for the period of November 1 to December 31, 1965, the five year members' loans were mentioned with a comment, "received not confirmed" It was this comment which prompted Mr. Bill Andrews to write me a letter, which stated:

HAINES, THOMSON Barristers and Solicitors December 13th 1965, REGISTERED Mr. John M. Givens, 160 Chisholm Avenue, Toronto 13, Ontario.

Re: Macedonian Orthodox Church Congregation, Saint Clement of Ohrid, Toronto, Canada Dear Mr. Givens:

You are the treasurer and a director of this corporation. I am writing to you in my capacity as a member of the church. I was astounded on examining the statement of income and expenditures for the period September 25th to October 31st 1965 to find no reference whatsoever to the loans from members in excess of $75,000. The statement is completely misleading as to the true financial affairs of the church. Unless a correcting statement or letter to the members advising them of this error is sent out immediately, I intend to take such course of action as I find available to me as a member of this corporation to ensure a proper statement of the financial affairs thereof is made available to the members.

Signed: Yours very truly, William Andrews The second letter I received from Bill Andrews was from the same lawyer's office:

Haines, Thomson, Barristers and Solicitors.

February 25 th, 1966.

Mr. John Givens, Macedonian Orthodox Church Congregation, Saint Clement of Ohrid, Toronto, Canada, 76 Overlea Boulevard, Toronto 17, Ontario.

In this letter, Mr. Andrews, as a member of the church, was asking for information regarding the second financial statement for the period of November 1 to December 31,

1965.

Mr. Andrews had a few questions. Question number three read, "What is the meaning of the item on the bottom of the statement headed five year members loans-received not confirmed I am particularly concerned at what you mean by the words 'received not confirmed'." Question number four read, "Would you please advise me as to the name of the chartered accountant written in on the bottom of the page who prepared that statement." I believe I had forwarded the name of the chartered accountant to him. After that, I had not heard anything more from Mr. Bill Andrews, for a while. What is the difference between the two letters? One difference is the fact that the second letter is properly addressed to, 76 Overlea Boulevard and not my private home address. Secondly, there were no threats.

Ilinden celebrations in Macedonia and the participation of the United Macedonians Canadian Committee The House of Immigrants in Macedonia invited the United Macedonians Canadian Committee to send a delegation to the Ilinden celebrations in Macedonia. The delegation was selected by the membership during a general meeting held in May of 1968. I was selected to represent the United Macedonians Canadian Committee in Macedonia.

Later the same year, new elections for the board of the United Macedonians Canadian Committee took place and James Trentos was elected president. At this point, the newly elected executive decided to incorporate additional members to the delegation, of which the House of Immigrants was informed through a letter. The letter, dated July 2, 1968, read as follows:

Dear Compatriots:

On the occasion of the 65th Ilinden Uprising celebrations in the name of the organization United Macedonians Canadian Committee we congratulate you and wish you a successful Ilinden celebration.

Here is a list of delegates:

First vice-president George Angelevski Second vice-president Vlado Steriovski Director of the administration John Nikolovski Member of the organization John Givens.

Making changes to the list of delegates obviously angered some members of the organization who took it upon themselves to complain to the House of Immigrants with a letter of their own, addressed to T. Bugleski, President of the House of Immigrants in Macedonia.

The letter read as follows:

Sir:

At a general membership meeting held in May 1968, where a majority of the qualified members were present, Mr. John Givens, former treasurer, president and secretary-treasurer, was elected by a great majority to represent the United Macedonians Canadian Committee as the invited delegate to the celebrations to be held in Macedonia, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Ilinden uprising. A subsequent motion was passed that messengers John Nikolovski and Vlado Steriovski also attend as co-representatives. Following the membership meeting, the executive of the United Macedonians Canadian Committee appointed Mr. George Angelevski, first vice-president, to also attend.

It is the feeling of the membership that Mr. Givens be accorded and accredited with the honor, as a member who has contributed a great deal to the development and growth of this organization.

It is with great joy that we all look forward to this occasion and it goes without saying all courtesies extended will be appreciated.

Yours truly, Signed: P. J. Kondoff, Don Pappas, A. Palmerov, George Loukras, William Clatseff.” I was honoured to receive this invitation tо take part in the 1969 Ilinden celebrations in Macedonia.

Here is the letter of invitation:

House of Immigrants of Macedonia Skopje, Ul. 27 Mart br. 5 Skopje, May 16, 1969 Dear John:

In August this year, 25 years would have passed since the creation of the First free Macedonian State - the Socialist Republic of Macedonia. On Ilinden in 1944, during the struggle for freedom and independence, struggling against the Germans, Bulgarians and other fascist occupiers, the people’s representatives from Macedonia assembled in the quarters of the old St. Prohor Pchinski Monastery where they hammered out the centuries-old aspirations of our people to live in its own free national state. The Socialist Republic of Macedonia was created where the Macedonian people can freely develop their own creative forces. In the past 25 years our fatherland rose from destruction, erased the traces of its enslaved past and swiftly took its place among modern states. Macedonia’s modern literature, Macedonia’s University and Academy of Learning and Sciences, Macedonia’s theaters, historical and other scientific literature, including Macedonia’s economy, have blossomed to a point where our country is now famous and desirable to all well-wishers in the world.

In honor of the 25th anniversary of the First sitting of the People’s Antifascist Assembly of Macedonia’s Liberation /ASNOM/ the Macedonian people are celebrating both of their Ilindens, 1903 and 1944, their heroic past and their bright present and with a full heart, gratefulness and love for their sons and daughters, they bow before the immortal greats who have fallen for the liberation of their birthplace Macedonia. On Ilinden this year, the Macedonian people in the entire Republic, as well as outside wherever they live, will be formally celebrating this important Jubilee.

Dear John, with great pride we would like to invite you to join us in this great ASNOM celebration, which will be held from July 30th to August 5th. During this time you will be our guest and, in addition to participating in the jubilee, we will visit many other places and cities in Macedonia.

Given that the celebration will take place at the height of the tourist season, please let us know as soon as possible if you will have the means to join us, so that we can make timely arrangements for your transportation and hotel.

Please accept our best wishes for success in your personal endeavors and our cordial and fraternal greetings.

Editor and Chief, President Ivan Tochko Tome Bugleski The decision to form the First Macedonian Diocese for North America and Australia by the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia His Eminence Dositej and my Involvement In 1968, the United Macedonians Canadian Committee elected me to represent them at the Ilinden celebrations in Macedonia. After arriving in Macedonia, I had the honour, together with Kosta Stanwyck and others, to be invited by his Eminence Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, to meet with him at his residence in Kalishta. Also present at this meeting was Done Ilievski, Minister of the Macedonian Commission for Religious Affairs.

This was also the second time that I had met former deacon and now Bishop Kiril and other church officials who had visited us in Canada.

During our discussions, both Archbishop Dositej and Done Ilievski briefed us on the historic decision to revive the Archbishopric of Ohrid and Macedonia and about events and difficulties they encountered at that time. Ilievski also spoke about His Eminence Dositej’s nomination and how he became Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia. Dositej, a Macedonian, was at that time a bishop in the Serbian Church.

We were told that there were two qualified candidates for the job, one of them being Dositej. Ilievski then spoke about the means by which Macedonian authorities contacted Dositej and discussed with him a proposal for becoming Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia and of the events before and after his Eminence accepted his candidacy to head the Macedonian Church.

There were many difficulties with security surrounding his departure from Serbia and the whole project had to be kept a secret right up until the election.

After that, His Eminence Dositej briefed us on the need to establish a Macedonian diocese for North America and Australia.

In the presence of Ilievski and Bishop Kiril, it was decided that it was time to establish our own diocese for North America and Australia. Archbishop Dositej then proposed that Bishop Kiril be sent to head them. Dositej said, “I will promote him to a Metropolitan and I will send him to you.” I was asked and did my best to convey this information to the board of directors, then headed by Dr. Georgievski. As requested, I proposed to the board that we consider the establishment of a Macedonian Church North American Diocese and Archbishop Dositej’s offer to appoint Bishop Kiril to head the North American and Australian Diocese.That was how the process of establishing our own diocese in North America and Australia became a reality, which makes me very proud today to have been part of such a historic event for our Macedonian Community, in Canada and the United States.

On the occasion of the Ilinden Anniversary, in 1968, I spoke at the Grave of the Undefeated, in Prilep Dear Compatriots:

With special feelings of joy and pride, I bring you our cordial greetings from our compatriots from Canada, as well as the entire membership of the United Macedonians.

We, the Macedonians, united in our national organization, in all of our thoughts and wishes, are always with you, for the good and prosperity of our people; at this moment, in this year, when our fatherland celebrates 65 years since Ilinden. We, the Macedonians in Canada, your brothers and sisters, share your joy and wishes, along with you, at the altar of the Macedonian Golgotha - Ilinden.

Dear Compatriots The idea of uniting the Macedonians abroad is a result of our feelings, our separate Macedonian way of life and our glorious Macedonian history, connected with Ilinden.

That feeling found its place and recognition amidst the mosaic of nationalities in Toronto.

It was the driving force that created our organization.

The purpose of the United Macedonians was, is, and always will be, to unite all our brother Macedonians, abroad, especially those expatriates who were infected by the Bulgarian, Greek and Serbian propaganda and who were beleaguered in their national awareness to the degree of servitude to other's interests. The first major achievement in our success was the creation of the first Macedonian Church, St. Clement of Ohrid in Toronto. St. Clement, today, is our church where over 10,000 Macedonians are carrying out their spiritual needs. This great achievement is not only ours but also that of our mother Macedonian Autocephalous Church which gave us a helping hand and morally supported us. Our idea would have remained just an idea if a delegation had not been sent, in the name of his Eminence Bishop Zletovsko- Strumicki Naum and the Very Rev.

Kiro Stojanov. Our church, fittingly named after our patron St. Clement of Ohrid, serves us as a spiritual, educational and cultural centre. It has a Sunday school, drama club and this year, we have our spiritual weekly newspaper, Spiritual Spark. All the resulting benefits are the fruit of the first vision of the United Macedonians. It is our universal joy that we can report that every day new branches of our organization are born and this success goes towards an even greater unification. In the days before my departure a new branch of the United Macedonians emerged in Hamilton. This gives us the hope that there will emerge a new spiritual beacon, a new Macedonian Church. This is why the cries of our age-old enemies are in vain, especially Bulgarians and Greeks, before the reality of history. The enemies' cries are melting away, every day, before dawn, justice and the truth.

The free Macedonian nation lives and thrives within the new Yugoslavia through the Autocephalous St. Clement Church; the academy of art and sciences; from the progress and affirmation of our country in front of the whole world, and also in the truth and our progress within Canada. Thousands of Macedonians take part in our festive celebration of our historical Ilinden in Toronto and in Canada. Ilinden leads us through many oceans, seas and rivers back to our roots in Macedonia, where our best sons fell for the liberation of Macedonia from 1903 to 1945. As a direct result, our soul is joyful and full of flattering hope. All our brother Macedonians who came and saw our mother Macedonia again, returned to Canada renewed, encouraged and armed with a greater knowledge and love of Macedonia. From what we see and feel here, we're lucky, especially for the brotherly welcome and services of our Matica.

Dear compatriots:

In my summation, I want to assure you that, we, the Macedonians, are living and develop fully and freely in our second homeland, loving Canada as our motherland, Macedonia. In Canada, through our churches and our organizations, we feel like we are in Macedonia. Under Canadian laws and regulations, we celebrate all our holidays and keep our Macedonian traditions. Ilinden is our national symbol, the most expensive gift decorated with costly sacrifices for the liberation of Macedonia. On that great national day in Toronto, each year, we are holding church services for the fallen heroes and we are holding a picnic in gratitude to the felled victims for the liberation of Macedonia during Ilinden, 1903 and 1941 - 1945.

Glory to the fighters of both Ilinden uprisings.

МОЈАТА ПРВА ПОСЕТА НА МАКЕДОНИЈА Говор на Могилата на непобедените во Прилеп Август 1968г.

Драги сонародници, Со особени чуства на радост и гордост ви ги предавам срдечните поздрави на нашите сонародници од Канада, како и од целото членство на "Јунајтед Мацедонианс".

Ние, Македонците, здружени во нашата национална организација, во мисли и желби сме везден заедно со Вас, за доброто и просперитетот на нашиот народ. И во овој момент, во оваа година, кога нашата татковина празнува 65 години од славниот Илинден и ние Македонците од Канада, вашите браќа, ја приложуваме, радоста и желбите, заедно со вас, на олтарот на Македонската Голгота - Илинден.

Драги сонародници, Идејата за обединување на нас Македонците во странство е рожба на нашето национално чувство, на нашиот одделен македонски бит и нашата славна македонска историја, сврзана со Илинден. Тоа чуство најде свое место и признание сред мозаикот од народности во Торонто. Тоа беше движечка сила која ја создаде и нашата Организација.

Целта на "Јунајтед Мацедониан" беше, е и ќе биде да ги прибере сите наши браќа Македонци во странство, а особено оние иселеници, кои, нагризени од големобугарската, големогрчката и големосрпската пропаганда, беа расклатени во своето национално сознание до степен на слугување на туѓите интереси. Првата форма на постигнувањето на нашиот успех беше создавањето на Првата Македонска црква "Свети Климент Охридски" во Торонто, во која денес си ги вршат своите духовни потреби над десет илјади наши Македонци. Ова големо дело не е само наше, на нашите замисли и труд, туку и на нашата Мајка македонска Автокефална црква која ни подаде рака и морално ни помогна. Нашата идеја ќе останеше само идеја ако не беше испратена делегација во лицето: Негово преосвестенство Епископот злетовско-струмички Г. Наум и пречесниот протоереј ставрофор Г. Кирил Стојанов. Нашата црква достојно го носи името на нашиот патрон "Св. Климент Охридски", служејки ни за духовен, просветен и културен центар. Таа има неделно училиште, драмска секција и од оваа година имаме и наш духовен весник "Духовна Искра". Сите тие досегашни резултати се плод од прваа замисла на обединетите Македонци.

На сеопшта радост, можеме да истакниме дека секој ден се раѓаат нови и нови клонови на нашата организација и со успех одиме кон се поголемо соединување.

Овие денови, пред моето тргнување е формирана и во Хамилтон "Јунајтед Мацедониан" со што се надеваме дека и таму ќе изникне наш духовен светилник Македонска црква.

Затоа напразно се викотниците на нашите вековни непријатели, особено Бугарите и Грците, пред стварноста на историјата. Тие се топат секој ден пред изгревот на правдата и вистината : на слободната македонска нација, која живее и се развива во рамките на нова Југославија; на Автокефалната Свети Климентова црква; на Академијата на науките и уметностите; од прогресот и афирмацијата на нашата земја пред целиот свет; пред вистината на нашиот прогрес во Канада; пред нашиот историски Илинден кој е празнуван на најсвечен начин од многу илјади Македонци во Торонто.Тој не води преку океани, на иселениците мориња иреки, овде, вонеговиот корен - во Македонија, каде паднаа најарните синови за слободата на Македонија од 1903 до 1945 години.

Па затоа нашата душа е радосна и полна со ласкателна надеж. Сите наши браќа македонци кои дошле и ја виделе повторно нашата мајка Македонија, се враќаат во Канада обновени, охрабрени и наоружани со поголемо сознание и љубов кон Македонија. Од се она што гледаме и чуствуваме овде задоволни сме и среќни, а особено од братскиот пречек и услуги на нашата Матица.

Драги сонародници, Завршувајки, сакам да Ве уверам дека ние Македонците во нашата твора татковина Канада како и нашата мајка Македонија, живееме и се развиваме наполно слободно, сакајки ја исто нашата втора татковина Канада како и нашата мајка Македонија. Во Канада, преку црквата и организацијаа, ние се чуствуваме како да сме во Македонија.

Во рамките на канадските закони и прописи, ние си ги празнуваме сите наши празници и ја чуваме нашата македонска традиција.

Илинден е нашиот национален симбол, најскап дар украсен со скапи жртви за слободата на Македонија. На тој наш национален Великден ние во Торонто секоја година правиме панахида за паднатите херои и правиме пикник, во знак на благодарност кон жртвите за слободата на Македонија, паднати во време на двата Илиндена 1903 и 1941 - 1945 година.

Слава на борците од двата Илиндена!

From the history of our Diocese Representing St. Clement of Ohrid Church in Toronto, I along with the church president, Nikola Karanfilovski, were present at the diocese's executive meeting held in 1983 at St. Paul and St. Peter Church in Gary Indiana. At this meeting, Bishop Kiril asked Father Boris Popovski to read the history of the American Canadian diocese, written by Father Boris Popovski. I found it to be very distorted to say the least and some of it was outright lies. I protested by contradicting his so-called history of the diocese.

Instead of establishing a committee to at least write or correct the same, Bishop Kiril intervened and told me: "If you do not like it, write one yourself." First of all, Father Popovski came into the picture much later. Father Boris Popovski arrived in Toronto as a tourist, who wanted to stay in Toronto. As such, he was not officially sent by the Macedonian Synod in Skopje. This was necessary in order to be accepted by St. Clement of Ohrid Church as a priest, to serve together with Father Atanas Popov who had been appointed by the Macedonian Church in Skopje to replace Father Kiril Stoyanovski.

Father Kiril Stoyanovski was a member of the church delegation for the consecration of our church, left behind to serve the congregation temporarily. Nor were we looking for a replacement. His interference and the arguments he caused between himself and Father Atanas Popov was evidence enough that Father Popovski wanted to unseat Father Atanas Popov. Father Popov tolerated him for a while, allowing him to conduct liturgy at St.

Clement with him but his patience ran out when it came to a heated argument where Father Popov told him to butt out and look somewhere else and not at St. Clement Church. This was part of the reason Father Popovski was not objective when he was writing the history of the diocese and partly because he was not involved or had witnessed the events and happenings in the diocese. At a later date, Father Popovski was assigned, I believe, to Hamilton and then to Gary Indiana to serve.

Why was Father Atanas Popov sensitive to his position as priest, serving St. Clement of Ohrid Church? That is a long story; it is part and parcel with all the events that happened during the consecration of our church within our congregation and both his defense of the Macedonian Orthodox Church and its synod in Skopje outraged the opponents at that time. After reading the book written by Slave Nikolovski Katin, entitled "Metropolitan Kiril", I was drawn to what he writes about Father Boris Popovski performing, for the first time, a service in the mother tongue, in Macedonian, at a Syrian Orthodox Church in Gary Indiana. I wonder whether or not it is part of the story Father Popovski wrote. First of all, St. Peter and St. Paul was the first Macedonian Church in North America. Secondly, the first priest to serve was Father Tanaskovski, who took part in the construction of the church. How then could one say that Father Boris Popovski conducted the first service in the Macedonian language? On the same page it says that in 1967, this church was the seat of the Bishop Kiril when we know that Bishop Kiril was enthroned on August 10 of 1969, at St. Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Church in Toronto.

Folklore Group Makedonka at St. Clement of Ohrid Church Back in 1969, after the new elections at a meeting of the Board of Directors, the then vice-president elect, Filip Angelkovski, promised to the board to organize the cultural life in our church community, by establishing cultural groups. At that meeting of the Board of Directors, he proposed to establish the following: a) Macedonian folklore group. The vice-president proposed and was accepted by the board that the folklore group be called Makedonka. b) The other proposal was establishing a music school.

In a short time, Professor Filip Angelkovski succeeded in recruiting enough young people to start the new folklore group. At that time, Alex Petlichkov already had a dance group outside of the church organization.

With the establishment of Makedonka, Filip Angelkovski invited Alex Petlichkov to join the group Makedonka with his group of dancers. Alex Petlichkov accepted the invitation and became the choreographer of Makedonka and Filip Angelkovski, as its director of the folklore group Makedonka.

At the first meeting of Makedonka, there were some members of the board taking part, particularly Louis Opasinis, who were opposed to Alex joining Makedonka because of some outstanding old differences between them. The majority of the members present at this meeting, including myself, supported Mr. Petlichkov in joining Makedonka. Both Filip Angelkovski and Alex Petlichkov worked together in developing the folklore group Makedonka to become one of the best groups in Toronto and Canada. Makedonka became an ambassador of our Macedonian culture amongst the ethnic groups in the Canadian community of Toronto. During the international caravan in Toronto, Makedonka successfully entertained the visitors to our pavilion Skopje and especially during the competitions in the CHIN picnics in Toronto by capturing first place, many times. Also, Makedonka represented Ontario in Nova Scotia and other places within Canada. Makedonka grew to be a representative of Canada, for example, when they participated in the International Dance Competitions in Puerto Rico in 1983.

Makedonka also was our ambassador to our old country Macedonia, representing our Macedonian community of Toronto in its many travels and performances given all over Macedonia. Thanks to the wisdom of Mr. Filip Angelkovski for the initiation and organizing of Makedonka. Thanks to Alex Petlichkov for his unbroken, endless and tireless work to develop Makedonka to the degree of becoming one of the best folklore groups in Canada. Thanks to Alex for his hard work for the last 47 years and he's still going strong. Alex was not the only one involved but the whole Petlichkov family. One of the first dancers in the group was Mary Petlichkov. Soon after their daughter Gula and son Chris took their places in the folklore group Makedonka and later Alex and Mary's grandchildren joined Makedonka. This is why I salute the Petlichkov family. Alex's work was not appreciated and misunderstood by some leaders of our church community.

He has faced many obstacles in his work with Makedonka.

I believe the hardest times he faced were during the presidency of Sam Gadjovich in 1971 and 1972, when the executive board, headed by Mr. Gadjovich, raided the storage room of Makedonka, throwing all the belongings of Makedonka out of the room, forcing Alex to store the same in his own house. This did not stop Alex from continuing and improving the ability of Makedonka to represent our culture within our Macedonian community and in Canada, regardless of the obstacles he faced. This is why the board of directors of 1981 and 1982 had decided to recognize and honour his work with a small present, a silver tea set for his hard work with the youth of the time and his successes with Makedonka. During the 48 years of Makedonka's existence, a great number of Canadian Macedonian youth have passed through, all proud of their Macedonian heritage.

In June of 1976, our daughter Christina joined Makedonka and for almost eight years was a member. Our younger daughter Caroline joined the group later, in 1982, and danced for four years. Both of us, myself and my wife Cena, were always thrilled to watch them performing in Makedonka. Together with Cena, we never missed the competitions and performances at the Chin Picnic at Centre Island or at the exhibition grounds in Toronto. Later, Caroline also joined the Mississauga church folklore group, Ilinden. Both have traveled to Puerto Rico and Macedonia, where they had opportunity to see and learn about Macedonia, their ancestry, since both are born Canadian.

The First Assembly of the Macedonian Orthodox Church of the American, Canadian and Australian Diocese in Toronto Shortly after the arrival of Bishop Kiril in Toronto, in August of 1969, the first Diocesan Assembly of the Macedonian Orthodox Church of the American, Canadian and Australian dioceses was held in Toronto, Canada. I was invited, by his Excellency Bishop Kiril, as the delegate representing St. Clement of Ohrid Church, in Toronto. At the gathering, it was unavoidable to have different interpretations and disagreements among the delegates on issues, such as the first budget of the Diocese. The budget, at the time, represented a major problem because the parishes were financially weak and were burdened with large mortgages. During the discussions, disagreements developed between the participants of the meeting. The assembly decided to appoint me and the diocese secretary, Deacon Tsandovski, to draft a budget and present this budget to the assembly for approval. The gathering itself was held in the small hall under the church.

Along with Deacon Tsandovski, we went onto the stage of the main hall because only there could we discuss privately and come to some agreement to a common budget to present to the assembly, but we failed. The expectations and demands by Tsandovski were too great. We came to major disagreements and quarrels. Tsandovski was unable to convince me to agree with his own, unrealistic budget proposals, calling me an illiterate, which meant there was no possibility for a common proposed budget. His proposed budget was over $56,000 for the year. I, on the other hand, proposed a budget of $36,000.

After presenting to the assembly our proposals, His Eminence Kiril was proposing to the assembly to accept the proposed budget presented by his secretary, Deacon Tsandovski, by saying, "Without exception, regardless whether it will be possible to fulfill the budget or not, we will be spending only what we have." The delegates at the meeting did not want to hear about such a big budget. If approved, funds would have to be found, but the question was, from where? Not only was Tsandovski's proposed budget rejected, but my proposed budget was rejected also, knowing well that the bank balance was only $13,000 at that time. This confrontation with the Deacon Tsandovski, where we were unable to overcome our differences on the proposed budget, resulted in my relations always being strained with him.

The assembly elected an executive board. Toronto, as the largest church community, elected seven members comprised of Paul Bassil, Michael Tallin, Bill Clatsoff, Sam Gadjovich, George Loukras, John Tsarvenkov and myself. George Loukras was elected treasurer of the diocese and I, John Givens, assistant treasurer. The disagreements in the diocese assembly were later reflected upon between Bishop Kiril and Father Popov and the members of the executive board of the diocese, from Toronto.

The board members called a meeting with Bishop Kiril, at his residence on Thorncliffe Park Plaza, to try to overcome the misunderstandings between Bishop Kiril and Father Atanas Popov. Unfortunately, during the discussions, a deeper disagreement surfaced between Bishop Kiril and Father Popov. Under a state of nervousness, Bishop Kiril ordered Father Popov to leave his residence and the meeting. Father Popov was shaken and very upset, and he replied to the bishop with the following words; "The apartment is a church property, therefore you cannot order me out." Father Popov stood firm on his position and at the same time was very offended and nervous. Bishop Kiril realized the severity of his actions, and upon seeing Father Popov very disturbed and upset, changed his tune and tried to calm Father Popov down with the words; "Father Tanas, please don't be nervous, calm down!" Father Popov answered with the following words; "Your duties in this diocese can sanctify you, or will get you in a blind alley from which there is no escape." After that meeting, relations between Bishop Kiril and Father Popov remained strained. I must say, in this confrontation between the bishop and Father Popov, Father Popov had the support of the members of the board. After approximately one year, Bishop Kiril returned to Macedonia but, his secretary deacon, Tsandovski, remained in Toronto. In the absence of Bishop Kiril, Father Atanas Popov was looking for help at the church services from their deacon, Tsandovski, but Tsandovski was refusing to take part during the church services, saying that he would only take part when Bishop Kiril was officiating at the services. As a result, the relations between Deacon Tsandovski and Atanas Popov deteriorated. Due to the stand Tsandovski took, the members of the diocese board were forced to call a meeting with him. At the meeting, Tsandovski defended himself by saying he had not drawn his salaries and that he was going to take the board to court. The response of the board was to make a detailed financial statement to see if the diocese owned him salaries in arrears, according to the diocese's budget.

George Loukras was a good and honest man but, due to his late age, he could not respond to the task at hand. Therefore, the responsibility of drawing the financial statement fell upon the assistant treasurer, who happened to be me! Mind you, during the first few months, George Loukras and myself were the co-signers at the bank but it was not practical. We decided to transfer the bank account to Bishop Kiril and the deacon, since it was known that their salaries were set at a certain amount, according to the budget. They had the right to withdraw the money as they pleased. It made no difference to the board. Tsandovski's threat to take the board to court because he claimed he was not paid and due to the absence of Bishop Kiril, the board decided to draft a detailed financial statement. I had prepared the financial statement and sent a copy to the Holy Synod in Macedonia.

The financial report showed undoubtedly, and according to the budget, that Deacon Tsandovski received his regular salaries and more. The problem became an issue, only after Tsandovski threatened to prosecute the executive board.

Bishop Kiril, still in Macedonia, had nothing to do with the affair. Nevertheless, Bishop Kiril was responsible for the conduct of his secretary.

After the report was sent to the Synod, Tsandovski spread propaganda that we were against the bishop and of course the opposition further disseminated his propaganda. The bulk of the propaganda was against me, since I was the one who had drawn the financial statement. The propaganda against me made me stronger in my belief to prove that the report could not have been any different and the purpose of the report was not designed to criticize anyone, least of all, Bishop Kiril.

After the return of Bishop Kiril to Toronto, the diocese held its assembly meeting at St. Clement of Ohrid Church, in Toronto. I was prepared to present the statement to the diocese assembly with which I would prove that the financial statement sent to the Holy Synod was correct and accurate and I did not intend to alter anything in it.