“It was a successful end of the academic year 2007-2008
 and the true progress of the students was particularly seen in their spiritual life”
 
    The pupils and students, the Sons of Light that never sets, are the cornerstone of our Church. They work hard to achieve good results not only in their academics but also in their moral character. They recognize the man who has supported them in their studies values education and knowledge.
 
    Archbishop Anastasios has always seen the future of our Church ‘in their eyes’, in their belief in God and the various professions they choose in the society where they live.  In all the academic institutions of the Orthodox Church of Albania, Archbishop Anastasios has taken special care to cover all school expenses. And in the end, the resulting fruits are sweet in spite of the hard work.
   “It was a successful end of the academic year 2007-2008 and the true progress of students was seen particularly in their spiritual life” said Anastas Dodbiba, the principal of the church high school ‘Holy Cross’ in Sukth, Durres. The first year of this school came to an end and the joy was obvious in the faces of the pupils and faculty.
    
    The progress is visible and the 37 pupils of the first and the second years feel more prepared for their educational and spiritual lives. The school is so modern, that once a visitor claimed “the school looks like a venue for the English aristocracy”. But the people in charge are careful and modest, keeping in mind there is still a lot of work to do. 
 
    The 62 pupils of the ‘Holy Cross’ school in Gjirokaster has been in existence for 10 years, and has just ended their course of studies with high achievements and are the future for our Church and society. The pupils of the final year successfully passed the state exams and are looking forward to advancing their studies at the theological academy ‘Resurrection of Christ’ in St. Vlash, Durres in October.
    A considerable number of pupils who have a special interest in our faith, declared their desire, at the official site of our Church (www.orthodoxalbania.org), to attend the theological academy. The rest of the students will continue their studies in other universities in Albania and abroad.
   Religious and professional education in the Metropolis of Gjirokaster has made visible progress the last few years. Another academic year ended in the technical school in Mesopotam in Sarande. 104 students have been well instructed in computer science, plumbing services, electrical services and heating/cooling installation. The Albanian teachers and foreign professors contributed their own experience by introducing students to the newest techniques in their individual fields.  
    The Albanian-American School ‘The Protagonist’ was distinguished once more as the best nine-year school in the city. According to its director, Pauline Russell, there were 172 pupils who were educated with the most up-to-date teaching techniques. Many of the students also excelled in the “Olympics of the Town”, rating them among the best. 
    The pupils behaved as true “protagonists” in activities both in and out of school.  In the Feast of the Alphabet and the year-end celebration, the “protagonists” surprised their parents and teachers with the high level of their abilities and creative skills. On the last day of school,l the pupils organized a panair with hand-made wares which they exchanged with one another displaying their skills and cooperation.
   In addition, the 25 teachers of the Protagonist School, are being trained with the most advanced American teaching methods. For the coming year, Archbishop Anastasios has promised to present to the school a new venue that is being constructed on Kavaja Street.
    The 44 pupils of the Albanian-Greek Elementary School ‘Spirit of Love’ in Durres, finished their academic year demonstrating continued advancement in their studies. According to the principal of the school, Mr. Kristaq Mile, the pupils excelled, thus making their school one of the best in Durres, not to mention the facilities and the modern instructive tools.
 
    In the professional institutes ‘Spirit of Love’ located in Tirana, and in the Emaus centre in Gjirokaster, the students finished their studies with high standards. The 250 students successfully finished their studies in management, computerized accounting, computer sciences, laboratory medicine, restoration and conservation of art work and Byzantine iconography.
 
    The Emaus Centre had 100 students who finished their academic studies in computerised accounting, business administration, tourism and applied computer science. Besides theoretical subjects, students put their skills into practice to be more competitive in the job market at the end of their studies.
 
    The nine-year schools and the high schools, along with the professional institutions of our Church, serve as laboratories for spiritual and moral resurrection of our society and of students’ professional growth. The motivation for the successful end of the past academic year as well as the blessing and support of His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios demonstrates the interest in education of the next generation with the knowledge and cultural values needed for the future of our Church and our country.
 
 
By Isidor Koti
 
Translated by Juliana Pici
Edited by Melanie Linderman
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