LJUPCO

MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY

My name is Ljupco Dvojakovski. I was born in Macedonia, one of the smallest countries in the World (South Eastern Europe), on July 31, 1956. My birthplace is a town called Berovo with a population of 7,000 to 8,000. Sadly my parents, Ilia and Sofia, passed away some years ago.
In my birthplace I had an unforgettable childhood with many friends and big support of my large family and relatives. Actually, during this time all citizens lived as one country.

I finished my elementary school 1971 in Berovo. One year later I started studying my Seminary, at the School of Theology in the capital city, Skopje and I finished it in 1976. After High School I served 15 months in the former Yugoslav Army. My goal was to get a diploma so I studied Orthodox Theology at The University of Skopje. I started in 1978 and completed it successfully in 1981. This bachelor degree in Theology helped me get a job in the management of the oldest Diocese in the Macedonian Orthodox Church the same year. The city of Ohrid has very long historical, archaeological and cultural heritage, in fact over 3,000 years old. I had been in Ohrid as a tourist many times, but this time I chose to settle down there. I spent the happiest part of my life there.

The following year, in 1982 when I was 26 years old, I decided to marry my fiancée - Violeta. My two sons Ivan and Boris were born in 1983 and 1988. I became a deacon (the first step in the clergy), and a priest five years later. However, I continued to work in a management position as the secretary to Bishop Thomoty. This job gave me privileges and a lot of opportunities to meet important leaders of lots of Churches and clergymen, including Pope John Paul II (three times in Rome), Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, also Russian, Alexandrian, etc.
Also, I want to mention some of the most important events in my life. For example, meeting Prince Charles twice, The King of Jordan, Abdullah II, the Presidents of countries such as Italy, Kenya, Indonesia, the former Prime Minister of Australia, Gough Whitlam, ministers, ambassadors, etc.

During this time I travelled a lot and I visited many countries and places like Washington D.C., LA, Chicago, Toronto, The Niagara Falls, Seoul, Moscow, Paris, London, Geneva, Zurich, Athens, Cairo, Kyiv, Jerusalem and Holy Land, Amman etc.

In 1987 my family and I came to Sydney, Australia. I was appointed as a parish priest of the Macedonian Orthodox Community at “St. Petka” church, Rockdale. I worked in cooperation with everyone from this very large community, including the executive members of this church and the thousands of parishioners in the St. George area, around Sydney and NSW. I was thrilled with this job. I was able to be very creative, looking for better ways to help the people in my community. I was full of enthusiasm and energy. Apart from being the preacher in the church, I worked as a Macedonian teacher in Public Schools. I was a regular guest on ethnic radio programs, and a chaplain in hospitals, hostels, homes, cemeteries, in all kind of religious events within the Macedonian ethnic community. Unfortunately the decision of the newly appointed bishop at that time changed everything in my job and sadly, my family and I went back to Macedonia in 1996, after 9 years of working in Australia.

My family and I went back and lived in Ohrid for 10 years. I got back the position as the secretary to Bishop Timothy. My son, Ivan, finished high school in Ohrid and later went to USA to study Economics, International Business, and Marketing. He completed two diplomas. Boris, my youngest son went to school in Ohrid. My wife was ill at that time, but now she is getting better. I hadn’t seen my parents, my two brothers, my sister, my cousins, friends, colleages and relatives for a long time. This was both, a very hard time, resettling, and a very joyful time, too, being with loved ones. God helped me and my family get through this time in Macedonia. After ten years I was sent back to work in Australia so my family and I came back and started a new life once again. This time we realised that we wanted to live here for good and that here we would have a very happy and fulfilling life for all of us. However, there are some serious problems in The Macedonian Orthodox Church that need to be resolved. At the moment I’m awaiting for that resolution so that I can continue with my job as the parish priest within MOC again. This is my most important goal and I’m sure that God’s will and providence will help me reach it.

Now, I’m very proud to write my autobiography in English. I’m very happy to be a student again. I’m studying English at “St. George” TAFE, Kogarah. After living in Macedonia for 10 years, I had forgotten a lot of English. This course is helping me improve my English and become more confident in speaking. I really need that. I realise that without the language, everyone is disadvantaged.

Ljupco, LLNP 3/4 Student
“St. George” TAFE, Kogarah