Aromanian is an Eastern Romance language spoken throughout eastern Europe. Aromanian is related to Romanian, but it draws more vocabulary from the Greek language. Aromanian used to be written in the Greek alphabet, and the earliest known works in Aromanian are the manuscripts of Patriarch Fotius from around 870 A.D., which were written using the Greek alphabet. Many Aromanian books have been written, but a large number of them were lost in book burnings or during wars. Since the earliest manuscripts, Aromanian has been written using the Latin alphabet and a new Aromanian spelling system. The language is taught in some schools, although official classes in Aromanian are rare. In the Republic of North Macedonia, the language is officially recognized, and Aromanian citizens are able to use it in court.