THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIAN CHURCH COMMUNITY
REVEREND PETRE GEORGI PHILLIPOFF 1894 - 1959
Church Community "St. Kiril & Metodi"
Diocese of North and South America,
and Australia
After those so many remembered traditions, the song "Mila Rodino"
was sung. All - old and young were singing and there were many tears
in the eyes, and most of all - in the eyes of the Bishop.
The melody had not yet gone while another one was started - "Planino Pirin".
After the end of the song, Reverend Peter Phillipoff said:
"I can't be a silent spectator of what is going on here at this very moment, and I am telling you all that we are only Bulgarians, blood from Your blood, flesh from Your flesh, we are Bulgarians from Macedonia. Please understand me - let us not divide from each other. And if other ways for the liberation of Macedonia are sought at present, it is because there is not another way"
Adelaide, South Australia
22 October 1950
On 27 Sep 1950 at a meeting of Bulgarians and Bulgarian-Macedonians in Melbourne,
Australia, the constitution and formation of the MacedonoBulgarian Eastern Orthodox
Church Community "St. Kiril & Metodi" was unanimously accepted. Two-thirds of those
present were Australia citizens. All in attendance on this historic occasion
signed the constitution, which contained the following pertinent clauses
Clause 8 - Irrespective of their place of birth, membership of the Church Community St Kiril & Metodi is open to all Eastern Orthodox Bulgarians, who apply and are accepted by the Committee.Clause 9a - Foundation members are those who signed this inaugural constitution, however they will not attain full rights until six months have passed.
Clause 9b - All Orthodox Christians may be members, however they will not have the right to be elected to the Church Committee.
Clause 17 - Any changes to this constitution have to be ratified by Bishop Velichky and cannot change the intent of this protocol.
Clause 18 - Changes to the constitution require a two-thirds majority and cannot change any aspect pertaining to the canonical protocol.