The Sydney Macedonian

07/01/2026

06/01/2026

Среќен Божиќ! Христос се роди и за многу години ❤️

Merry Christmas to all, Christ is Born! May you have a wonderful day and the spirit of Jesus be with you forever ❤️

27/10/2025

FEATURE: Lions return to Sydney after three decade hiatus (authored by Janakan Seemampillai)

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The Preston Lions will play a national league game in Sydney for the first time in 32 years when they take on North West Sydney Spirit next Sunday afternoon at Christie Park in Round Four of the Australian Championship.

The Lions have a strong following in NSW from their days as a National Soccer League club, and while they have appeared at the Macedonian Cup a number of times, haven’t featured in Sydney in a national domestic competition since playing Parramatta Eagles in February of 1993 in the old NSL.

There is no time to dwell on the past though for Louie Acevski’s men, who desperately need a win to keep alive their chances of a quarter final spot.

Preston have lit up the inaugural Australian Championship off the field, with bumper crowds at their home games and large TV audiences on SBS against Avondale and the Spirit, however the team has struggled to get a win on the board so far.

Jason Romero, Adisu Bayer and Oli Kubilay have been a threat up front, while Stefan Nigel and Luc Jeggo have been solid throughout the first three rounds.

The Lions will need to be on the ball against the NSW NPL Champions, who have been very competitive so far and chalked up their first win this weekend against Canberra Croatia.

A strong contingent of Preston fans are expected to be at Macquarie Park next Sunday, in what is expected to be a tough and tight Group C clash.

Avondale and the Spirit head the group on five points, while Canberra Croatia have three, with the Lions on two points. There are three rounds left in the second tier competition.

Preston fans can buy tickets at

https://www.intix.com.au/event/nws-spirit-vs-preston-lions-fc

Kickoff next Sunday is 4.30pm, with live coverage on SBS and YouTube for those who can’t attend.

12/09/2025

Tomorrow there is only one place to be as Rockdale Ilinden take on APIA Leichhardt in the 2025 NPL NSW Grand Final ⚽️ 🏆

Napred Ilinden! 🔴⚫️

𝗡𝗣𝗟 𝗡𝗦𝗪 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹

Rockdale Ilinden FC return to the Grand Final with one goal in mind - to bring history home. This Saturday at Jubilee Stadium, we face APIA Leichhardt in the ultimate battle on the biggest stage.

⚽ Rockdale Ilinden FC v Apia Leichhardt FC
🕡 Kick off 6pm
📆 Saturday 13 September 2025
🏟️ Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah

🎟️ 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀: Tickets also available at the gate.
https://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=JUBSNPL25

🏟️ 𝗜𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲
Pre-drinks at the Ilinden Sports Centre from 2pm
Post game celebrations with live music

🚌 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀
🕓 Starting 4pm
🏟️ From: Ilinden Sports Centre
🏟️ To: Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah

𝗕𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗲. 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗱𝗴𝗲. 🔴⚫

10/09/2025

Overnight Bitola hosted its first international game in 31 years 👏

Result: Macedonia (u21) 0 - 1 Italy (u21)

10/08/2025

⏰ ON THIS DAY IN 1913: THE TREATY OF BUCHAREST

The Treaty of Bucharest would divide Macedonia amongst its neighbouring countries and be the root cause of the modern day problems surrounding Macedonian identity and politics. Things would perhaps have been very different had Macedonia gained full independence at this time, like the other Balkan states were earlier granted.

Today we commemorate the divided homeland and pay respect to those who suffered as a result of this Treaty as well as the generations of Macedonians who fought for Macedonia’s autonomy. Although not completely free, we are grateful that we still have a remaining independent piece left, and protecting it is imperative.

We pay respect to all Macedonians from throughout divided Macedonia who have lived through genocidal terror and suffering, but staunchly remained Macedonians. May the Macedonians who now live within the borders of neighbouring countries as well as in the Repiblic one day receive their basic human rights as all people on this Earth deserve.

Samo edna ima vistina
ima edna Makedonija
delete ja, parchete ja
pak ke bide nasha najmila!👌❤️

02/08/2025

Today is Ilinden, one of the most important days on the Macedonian calendar 🗓️

Firstly, Ilinden is the feast day of St Elijah who was a Christian Prophet mentioned many times throughout the Bible. He was a guardian of the faith and advocate for the one true God. His feast day has traditionally been celebrated in Macedonia for a long time.

The other reason that makes Ilinden such a special day is that it is associated with the Macedonian struggle for independence. On August 2nd 1903, Macedonians staged the Ilinden Uprising against the 500-year reign of the Ottoman Empire, in an attempt to establish an independent Macedonia. The revolt was organised by the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation (IMRO/VMRO) which was an underground organisation established in 1893 which sought to overthrow Turkish rule and establish a Macedonia for Macedonians. Initially the revolt was successful with many cities and villages being liberated by the revolutionaries throughout Macedonia. The mountain town of Krushevo was the centre of the uprising and it is here that the independent Krushevo Republic was proclaimed. After valiant and brutal fighting, and an influx of Ottoman reinforcements the Ilinden uprising was eventually suppressed, with terrible consequences for the local population. The Ilinden Uprising remains a pivotal and significant event in Macedonian history. A commemoration and symbol of the bravery, determination and self-sacrifice of our ancestors who laid down their lives for the ideals of freedom and self-governance. Ideals that we continue to fight for today.

Exactly 41 years after the Ilinden Uprising in the year 1944, the first ASNOM meeting was held (Anti-Fascist Council of National Liberation of Macedonia). This was set up by the Macedonian Partisans during the latter stages of WW2. In this meeting the part of Macedonia under Yugoslavian control gained status as an equal state. ASNOM was important as a voice for Macedonian interests. It brought to the spotlight the Macedonian cause for recognition and human rights under its committee which advocated for greater independence and self-rule for the Macedonian people.

Also on this day in 338 BC was the battle of Chaeronea where the Macedonians led by King Philip II defeated the Athenians in battle.

Za mnogu godini ❤️

05/07/2025

The Macedonian Marvel Peter Daicos makes an appearance in the latest Kia commercial 👌

27/05/2025

🔙 Twenty years ago Sydney Makedonia/Bankstown City Lions were crowned 2005 NSW Champions after defeating Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3-1, in front of a busy Parramatta Stadium 🏆

Being there as a kid on that day—and throughout this era—is a fond memory of mine which deepened my love for football and my sense of belonging to the Macedonian community.

Next month we celebrate 50 years of this great club - its footballing heritage, the friendships it has fostered and the lifelong memories it’s given us, both on and off the pitch.

08/05/2025

⏰ A step back in time to 1993. Thousands from around Australia protest in the heart of Sydney at Martin Place, advocating for Macedonian sovereignty and national identity.

20/04/2025

Hristos Voskrese! Sreken Veligden na site vas i vašite semejstva

Христос воскресе! Среќен Велигден na сите вас и вашite семејства

Christ is Risen! Happy Easter to you all and your families

On this day Jesus Christ rose from the dead proving that he is indeed the son of God and our Saviour. Through faith in him and living life through his teachings, we are granted forgiveness and eternal life.

Hope you enjoy your day! ❤️