The synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church - the Archdiocese of Ohrid, which 50 years ago unilaterally proclaimed its independence from the Serbian Orthodox Church and "dropped out" from the world Orthodoxy - just like decades later the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate - appealed to the Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church church-mother of the Macedonian church.

The preliminary agreement was received: the synod of the BPC unanimously decided to establish a commission for negotiations with the MPC and start consultations with other Orthodox churches on restoring the canonical status of the MPC.

Prior to this, the Macedonian Orthodox Church for decades negotiated with the Serbian Orthodox Church - but without success. The last time such negotiations were resumed in May 2015, the secret mediator was the Moscow Patriarch Kirill. But the consultations did not lead to anything - in Macedonia they were convinced that the Serbian churchmen were wasting time, hoping to return to this former Yugoslav republic their own church.

At first glance, there is nothing special about the decisions of the two synods. A person far from the Balkans is not at all clear why the MPC could not turn to the BOC before. But we must understand that 50 years ago in Macedonia was an active anti-Bulgarian company: the neighboring country was declared the aggressor and enemy of the Macedonian people. Bulgaria, too, was not shy in terms: the very existence of the Macedonians and their language was ignored, Macedonia was a "Serbian fiction", a fantasy of "Yugoslav imperialism". In this situation, the Serbs seemed natural - and the only allies of the Macedonians. Who else should rely on the people whose neighbors (not only the Bulgarians but also the Greeks) deny the fact of its existence?.

But over the past decades, the Serbs have managed to make a real miracle - in this ability to create miracles they can compete only with the Russians. Serbian politicians literally pushed the Macedonians into the embrace of the Bulgarians. Not even politics - contempt. Macedonian Church is tired of the silence of Belgrade.

The last blow was the decision of the SPC leadership to ban the celebration of the anniversary of the Anti-Fascist Assembly of the People's Liberation of Macedonia (ASNOM) in the monastery of St. Prohor Pchinsky in Serbia - for Macedonians this is a special date and a special ceremony connected with the proclamation of their republic. And Bulgaria decided to become a European locomotive for Macedonia. The Bulgarian and Macedonian governments hold joint meetings. Called to respond to the appeal of the IPC were well-known politicians and public figures of Bulgaria, the Synod of the BOC appealed to the descendants of the well-known Macedonian families living in this country.

"This is the least we can do. These are our brothers, our people "- the Bulgarian patriarch Neophyt. In the Synod, the IPC responded that "no one will become a Bulgarian if the BOC recognizes the autocephalous nature of the MPC". This is the response of the Macedonian opposition, which is actively criticizing the "pro-Bulgarian" position of the new Macedonian government of the Social Democrat Zoran Zayev. But the paradox of the situation is that Zaev's party in the recent past has focused on traditional cooperation with Serbia - so far the political meaning of this cooperation has not been exhausted.

Of course, to say that the MPC will be recognized tomorrow by other Orthodox churches, I would not. But the Macedonian Orthodox Church can go on the road that another church with a complex destiny can use - UOC Kyiv Patriarchate. In Macedonia, it is hoped that the recognition of the mother church can speed up the process of recognizing autocephaly from the side of the Ecumenical Patriarch. UOC-KP mediators are not needed: for the Kiev Metropolitan Church itself can directly become the Patriarchate of Constantinople. However, the canonicity process of the MPC can reduce the fear of a split in world Orthodoxy. And once again emphasize the destructive role of the Moscow Patriarch, who, instead of mediation in an old conflict, simply took the side of his allies from the SPTs.

But the main consequence of the church dispute is the further distance of Macedonia from Serbia, which could have been avoided, if not so much despise the neighbors. Ironically, this distance will only help the European integration of Macedonia. In the West - and Bulgaria plays an important role in this process - they make efforts to resolve the long Greek-Macedonian dispute over the constitutional name of Macedonia. This dispute delayed the accession of Macedonia to NATO - but now the parties have approached a compromise so important for Macedonia's security.

For Ukraine in this whole story there is one very important lesson: do not wait for an understanding from who despises you - even if your neighbor has recently declared himself your friend, brother or lawyer. Serbia was ready to perceive Macedonia as a separate nation only while decisions about the future of the republic were made in Belgrade.

To maintain mutual understanding, one was not enough: respect.

And without respect it is impossible to build good neighborly relations. This is what Ukraine must demand from its neighbors and what it should pay to each of those who are ready for equality and understanding - from influential Poland to a small Moldova. And even Russia, we will be able to learn to respect - but only when Russia learns to respect and not despise and destroy others.

Original.