New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-14

the .Patrlarchate of Constantnople. but it did not
disregard the ever more and more pressing demands
OF the Rumanian and Servian populations In Mace
ionalities. or. least that they should speak their
language. The result of that obstinacy has become
for the RumanIans OF Macedonia, and in the agita-
ton of the Servan population in Turkey for the sew
trarchate OF Constantinople, and for the re-estab
lishment OF the Independent Patrarchate OF Pech.
THE sERvIAN AGITATION.
Il took specia to investigate the real causes
OF tho Servian agitation. and will the facts
concisely as | can But think it only right to add
that most of my information Is derived from the
official acts and reports which the Servlan Foreign
ONCE placed at my disposal II appears that the
Servian Government has at all times dssuaded the
the Greek Patrarchate of Constantinople. ar, he
same time 1t has persisently requested the Patri-
Prizzen and Skopiye Tsfnbnh9bted Almost eX S
clusively by Servansthe Metropoitans should be In
admitting the justice of the claim, promised that at
the first vacancy in Skoplye and Przzen the Metro
dates This promise formally repeated to King
Alexander on The occasion Of his visit to the Sultan in
1874. and was confden,ially communicated TO the
Porte and to the Sultan who promised the young
hng to appToye wth9Ht hesitation Of such SELECTION
synod chose few months since, the Servian Abbot
to TO- the old and ailing Metropolitan Methodius OF
Skoplye Servian ecclesiastc coadjutor. But
votes. strong minority Of the Synod being OF
opinion that at present, so politically critical time
for Macedonia. all the dloceses there ought to have
patriotic Greeks as their bishops. IT appears that
the minority has been able since last summer 10
convert several members of the majority to rs
views and so practically become aster OF the sit
gation Knowing that the old Metropolitan Of
send thither Ambrosius. bishop of Prespa, a Greek
preiate well known for his hatred of both Bull
gsrians and servlans. on November % old
Methodius died and the very next morning (No-
vember 2O tho Greek synod in Constan;inople
elected Ambrosius as Metropolitan Of Skoplye. This
was quite new departure, to elect new prelate
in tho place of ono who was not yet buried; ira
Church to leave the see vacan: for at least six
weeks after tho decease of ito last occupant.
QUESTION or LANGUAGE.
ION the day Of the burial. when the new Metro
politan for the first time OBLIGATED as SUCH he pro-
voked an ndescrlbable scandal in the church When
the Scrvian priests and choir began to chant as
usual. in the old savonc. the new Metropolitan
stopped them and ordered peremptorily that the
service for the dead should be read in Greek This
embittered tho Servlan congregation so much that
they left the church and surrounding the Metro
tan TO enter it, Ambrosius, enraged by the resist.
ance OF the Servians went to the Turkish pacha OF
Skopye and denounced his flock, stating that they
opposed his entering the palace because they knew
rooms. proving that the Servian coadutor and tho
principal citizens had been conspring 20 overthrow
urksh rue me pacha az once sent inc ponce 10
compromising papeIs Put ala not ma awning II
tho behavior OF the Metropolitan. Anyhow,
when Ambroslus appealed to the pacha for mill
tary escort to open for him n way through the
crowds surrounding the palace. the pacha refused
to give IT, Thercupon AmbrOsius. with his own
hand sealed the doors of the church. that
prayers should take place there; but the people
tore down his seals entered tho church. and held
n service in the Savonc language The Metro
potan then requested the Turkish pacha 10 seal
the doors of the church with the Turkish official
seal and keep it closed until the citizens recognized
him their duly appointed Archbishop. The pacha
complied with this demand and the Cathedral Of
Skoplye remains closed.
Meanwhile, the seryian and Montenegrin En-
voys in Constantinople protested energetically 10
the Patriarch and the Porte. The Patriarch
swered that he powerless the Synod having
chosen Ambrosus, and. having soemnly prayed for
the descent Of the Holy Spirit on him, the new
Metropolitan OF SkOplye was practically elected by
the Holy Spirit. Thereupon the then Servian Pre-
mier NJ NOyakovich, appealed TO Russia for as
sstance. which was granted. NJ dc Nelidor was
instructed to support the claims Of the Servlans,
and he did that thoroughly that the Sultan in
formed the PatriarChata that he could not grant
berats OF confirmation TO Ambrosius. The whole
pitiabe and undignlhed affair has got into A
tanele which IT Will be difficult to undo. Mean
while IN all the more important towns In Servia.
meetings are held and resolutions passed calling
upon the Government TO support the demand OF
the Servans I'm Turkey for the re-establishment Of
the Patrlarchate Of Pech. thereby breaking off al
further connection with the Greek Patriarchate Of
Constantinope."