NEVOLJANI (GORNO NEVOLJANI)

The village of Nevoljani was forcibly renamed by the Greek government to Skopija. It is 2 kilometres south of Lerin on Nevoljanska Plain, which is formed by the Kula mountain to the north and Lopushnets to the south. The Nevoljanska River runs through the village. Nevoljani is at 21 degrees 25 minutes longitude and 40 degrees 45 minutes latitude and 690 metres above sea level. Area is about 4 square kilometres.

The village borders to the north with Lerin, to the east with the village Kuchkoveni, to the southeast with the village Maala, and to the west with the village Kalugeritsa.

Before the start of the Greek Civil War in 1945 there were about 1,750 residents in the village, of whom 1,375 were of Macedonian background and about 37 were Greek-Madzhiri. The residents were employed in agriculture, raising livestock, trades and other important activities.

During the Greek Civil War, the residents took little part in the organization of NOF and the armed forces of DAG. Participation was not possible because of the location of the village. The village had about 50 active fighters and during the time of the battles, 9 gave their lives and 8 patrots were shot in the Lerin prison.

They were:

1. Bishkarov Gjorgi
2. Grozdin Pavle
3. Deligochev Lazo
4. Dzolev Petse
5. Kiradzhiev Krste
6. Lazenkov Iljo
7. Lazenkov Tase
8. Luzov Vangel
9. Mazenkov Risto Tase
10. Mazenkov Risto
11. Meshkov Vasil
12. Mitsev Stefo
13. Nanov Tase
14. Nanov Petse
15. Strezov Stavre
16. Tupuliov Petse
17. Trpchev Petse

After the Greek Civil War and emigration and forced evictions, the number of residents fell significantly. The Geeek census in 1991 recorded there are 594 residents in Nevoljani.

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