WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 1, 2009 – The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) expressed sorrow today over a fire that severely damaged one of Macedonia’s most significant cultural heritage sites, St. Jovan Bigorski Monastery.  Established in the 11th century, St. Jovan Bigorski Monastery, near the city of Gostivar, is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist.  It is renowned for its wood-carved iconostasis, considered one of the most beautiful throughout the Orthodox world.  Damages of the fire are estimated to amount close to 5.5 million euros.

“Macedonians worldwide are saddened by the tragic fire of St. Jovan Bigorski – a treasure of Macedonia’s cultural heritage and UMD has therefore established the UMD Reconstruction Fund for St. Jovan Bigorski Monastery,” stated UMD President Metodija A. Koloski.

“We encourage Macedonians and friends of Macedonia to contribute to the Fund in order to help rebuild one of Macedonia’s treasures so that future generations of Macedonians and friends of Macedonia can cherish the rich Macedonian cultural heritage,” said Koloski.

Contributions to the UMD Reconstruction Fund for St. Jovan Bigorski Monastery can be made online by clicking HERE (scroll to the bottom) or by check made payable to “UMD Reconstruction Fund for St. Jovan Bigorski Monastery” and sent to:

United Macedonian Diaspora, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20004