Metropolitan Poemen, the Metropolitan of Europe within the Ohrid Archdiocese, stated in an interview with TV Sitel that they will always be the Macedonian Orthodox Church, regardless of how others address them. He mentioned that while they are not required to make a constitutional change to alter their name, in their mutual relations with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, they refer to themselves as the Ohrid Archdiocese. This was in response to Archbishop Stefan’s statement about the condition set by the Ecumenical Patriarchate to omit the word “Macedonian” for being granted the Tomos of Autocephaly.
Metropolitan Poemen expressed his belief that the requests from the Ecumenical Patriarchate for granting the Tomos of Autocephaly are not overly demanding and can be resolved through dialogue. He mentioned that there are three conditions: the use of the name, the issue of properties in the diaspora, and cooperation with the Church of Ukraine, which he believes are not insurmountable.
Regarding the recognition of the Church of Ukraine and the need for the Holy Synod to analyze it, Metropolitan Poemen pointed out the rigid stance of the Archdiocese of Ohrid. He suggested that this might be due to a certain sympathy towards the Russian Church but believes that this issue can also be resolved.
On the topic of transferring properties in the diaspora, Metropolitan Poemen highlighted that the “Macedonian Orthodox Church” considers it unacceptable to give away properties built by the diaspora, some of which are over a century old. He emphasized that while it might seem acceptable for other churches, it is not something they are willing to do. He mentioned that Archbishop explained their willingness to consider joining if all other churches were to cede the diaspora to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.