About North Macedonia:
North Macedonia should not be confused with Macedonia, which is a part of Greece.
Formerly part of Yugoslavia, North Macedonia became independent in 1991 and changed its name from “Republic of Macedonia” to “Republic of North Macedonia” in 2019 after the Prespa Agreement with Greece to resolve a decades-long naming dispute.
In area, North Macedonia 9,927 square miles,(25,713 square kilometers), roughly the size of the U.S. state of Maryland. North Macedonia borders Kosovo & Serbia to the north, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south and Albania to the west. North Macedonia has a significant coastline on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, forming part of the Mediterranean.
North Macedonia’s population peaked around 2005 and has been decreasing, with a negative growth rate, and a 2021 census recorded about 1.83 million people.
The official language is Macedonian, although Albanian is co-official in many areas. The currency is the Macedonian denar (MKD)
North Macedonia has been a member of NATO since 2020 and is a candidate for EU membership, although that has been successfully resisted by Greece.
Roughly of the population is 64% ethnic Macedonians (Slavic), 25% Albanians, plus smaller Turkish, Romani, Serbian, Bosniak, and Vlach communities.
North Macedonia is known for Lake Ohrid (one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes) and ancient archaeological sites, plus and a mix of Orthodox Christian and Muslim culture. The majority religion is Eastern Orthodox Christians, with about 33% Muslim (mostly Albanian).
Tourists are drawn to Matka Canyon, Tikveš wine region, mountain hiking in Mavrovo and Pelister national parks. The capital city of Skopje has eclectic mix of brutalist architecture along with “Skopje 2014” neoclassical statues.
The Catholic community is very small (~15,000–20,000 people, less than 1% of the population). Catholic rites that are in communion with Rome: Latin-rite Catholics (under the Diocese of Skopje) and Byzantine-rite Macedonian Greek Catholics (under the Eparchy of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Strumica-Skopje).
Most Latin-rite Catholics are ethnic Albanians, Croats, or descendants of the former Austro-Hungarian era. Byzantine-rite (Greek Catholic) Macedonians are a tiny community (~10–11,000) but have their own eparchy since 2001.
Catholic places of interest in North Macedonia:
Skopje: This largest city in the country has quite a few Catholic churches, both Latin-Rite and Eastern-Rite. We highlight a few of them here.
♦ Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: The main cathedral for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Skopje, it was built between 1973-1977, replacing a previous structure destroyed in the
♦ Church of St. Anthony of Padua (Kapishitec/Karposh district)Modern parish church, very active community.
♦ Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the main Latin-rite cathedral (built 1977, neo-Gothic style). City center near the old bazaar.
♦ Church of St. Cyril and Methodius – Skopje (Aerodrom district). Newer Latin-rite parish church.
Bitola: Co-Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Large neo-Romanesque church from 19th century; one of the most beautiful Catholic churches in the country, it serves as one of the two cathedrals for bishops in North Macedonia.
It is Neo-Gothic, with vaulted ceilings and stained glass; key historical and cultural landmark for the local Catholic community, blending Balkan and Ottoman influences.
Kumanovo: Church of the Heart of Jesus. Main Catholic church in the northern city of Kumanovo.
Gevgelija: Church of Saint Nicholas. Small parish church near the Greek border.
Novo Selo: (Strumica region) Church of Saint John the Baptist. Another important Byzantine Rite parish.
Ohrid: Earned the nickname “Jerusalem of the Balkans” due to a claim that it once housed 365 churches, one for each day of the year, making it a major medieval religious hub. Though many have vanished, it has s numerous well-preserved Byzantine churches.
Radovo (near Ohrid): Macedonian Greek Catholic parish; one of the oldest Byzantine-rite communities in the country.
Strumica: Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This modern building, consecrated in 2003, is the Cathedral of the Macedonian Greek Catholic Eparchy (Byzantine rite).
Tetovo: Church of St. Joseph. Small Latin-rite church serving the local Catholic community (mostly Albanian-speaking).
Sunday Mass times are usually posted on the official website of the Diocese of Skopje: katolicka-crkva.mk (Macedonian/Albanian).
Click here for the official North Macedonia Tourist Office website.