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On Sunday, April 22nd, numerous believers gathered in the new church of Saint George’s Cathedral in the city Fier. This was the first time Divine Liturgy had been held there after the old church was seriously damaged 40 years ago. |
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In attendance were representatives of the other religious communities, the mayor of Fieri, the prefect, deputies of the area and other local authorities, as well as believers from various cities of the Diocese of Berat. |
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Archbishop Anastasios, Metropolitan of Berat Ignatios, Bishop of Apolonia Nikola and clergy from the whole dioceseas well as students and professors of the Theological Academy in Durres, participated in the Divine Liturgy. |
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From the beginning of his time in our country, Archbishop Anastasios has paid special attention to the city of Fier. In the first years after communism, seeing the urgent needs of the faithful, a church was erected in a prefabricated building in the corner of the old church’s territory and work began immediately to build the large cathedral. |
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The plans for the project were done by an Albanian agency under the direction of Agron Jano. They tried to incorporate features of the old church in their project. The church has a basilica style and its surface is around 1200 square meters (the biggest in the country), the height of the cupola is approximately 23 meters, and the bell is 30 meters. |
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After the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Ignatios said: “Your Beatitude, honored representatives of state institutions and religious communities, dear believers and all of you that are participating in this celebration. |
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We are gathered today to begin our liturgical services in this magnificent church that holds the name of Saint George, the Great Martyr. The moment that we have been awaiting for such a long time has arrived.” |
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A little later Archbishop Anastasios also spoke, noting that “…nowadays, as we are living in a time of decadence and dissolution, it’s our great joy to open another spiritual center, like this church. It’s a center of praying and comfort, love and brotherhood, as well as a center of relationship with God, with other people and with everyone all over the world. |
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Every new church ties us with all the churches in the world that hold and praise the name of God. This center connects us with the past as well as with the present and with the future. It unites us with the whole mankind of all ages. |
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There is a fact that we should all keep in mind; the previous regime destroyed not only the buildings of the church, but even the souls of the people, their faith and hope within them. That’s why we feel an obligation to help in this direction. The most important thing is to build churches in the people’s hearts. There are still millions of people who wait to know God and to be united with Him.“ |
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At the end of his speech, Archbishop Anastasios expressed his gratitude for Metropolitan Ignatios and for his great contribution to the church. He also thanked all the clergy participating in the ceremony. |
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Thoma Dhima Translated by Marina Marini |
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