In a telephone interview on 3 May 1995, and subsequently confirmed in writing, the Archivist of the Orthodox Church in America in Syosset, New York, provided the following information. There are 15 national (or in some cases multi-national) church bodies throughout the world which are universally recognized as legitimate Orthodox Churches. These 15 Churches are all in communion with each other. In this case, it is important to note that 2 of these 15 Churches are the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. There are other church bodies that call themselves "Orthodox" but are not recognized as legitimate by the 15 recognized Orthodox Churches. The Macedonian Orthodox Church originated in the 1960s when it separated itself from the Serbian Orthodox Church and organized itself as an independent church body. This independent church structure of the Macedonian Orthodox Church is not recognized by any of the 15 legitimate Orthodox Churches. It is not clear, according to the Archivist of the Orthodox Church in America, whether the Macedonian Orthodox Church in Bulgaria is the same body which separated itself from the Serbian Church in the 1960s.

The Archivist stated that the laity of the Macedonian orthodox Church are accepted as Orthodox Christians by the 15 recognized Churches. However, the clergy (bishops, priests, deacons) of the Macedonian Church are not necessarily accepted as legitimate Orthodox clergy by the 15 recognized Orthodox Churches. Such acceptance may vary from one national church body to another among the 15 and may depend, in some cases, on whether a particular clergyman was ordained by a bishop of one of the 15 recognized Churches or not, or if a clergyman was ordained before or after the Macedonian Orthodox Church separated itself from the Serbian Orthodox Church. Such acceptance of Macedonian Orthodox clergy by the 15 recognized Churches may also depend on the particular relationship each of the 15 recognized Churches maintains with the Macedonian Orthodox Church. It is important to note that these relationships are complex and at times inconsistent.

For additional information on the Macedonian Orthodox Church, please consult the attachment.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Orthodox Church in America, Syosset, New York. 3 May 1995. Telephone interview with archivist.

Conference of European Churches, Geneva. 5 May 1995. Facsimile sent to the DIRB.