Category:Macedonia



Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991 A.D., but Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." In 1995 A.D., Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations. The United States began referring to Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, in 2004 A.D. and negotiations continue between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name issue. Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish, Roma, and Serbian are spoken.

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---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Macedonia - In New Testament times, was a Roman province lying north of Greece. It was governed by a propraetor with the title of proconsul. Paul was summoned by the vision of the "man of Macedonia" to preach the Gospel there (Acts 16:9). Frequent allusion is made to this event (Acts 18:5; Acts 19:21; Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 1:16; 2 Corinthians 11:9; Philippians 4:15). The history of Paul's first journey through Macedonia is given in detail in Acts 16:10 - 17:15. At the close of this journey he returned from Corinth to Syria. He again passed through this country (Acts 20:1), although the details of the route are not given. After many years he probably visited it for a third time (Philippians 2:24; 1 Timothy 1:3). The first convert made by Paul in Europe was (Acts 16:13) Lydia (q.v.), a "seller of purple," residing in Philippi, the chief city of the eastern division of Macedonia.