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| Photo: Mano Kritsotaki |
The fourth day, November 3rd 2009
Continuing his official visit of peace to Albania, the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodoros II viewed more closely different service institutions and departments of our Church, which have been established and built with the initiative and funds raised by the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, His Beatitude Anastasios.
Thus, the two Primates visited the “Nazareth” multifunctional Complex, where there is a candle-making workshop, an iconography studio, a woodcarving workshop and the “Resurrection” printing press. Patriarch Theodoros later also visited the “Spirit of Love” Professional Training Institute; which after ten-years of pedagogical experience is to be transformed into the “Logos” University, a private university. This is the realization of a long standing desire of the Archbishop Anastasios. The study programs will be accredited by the Ministry of Education and will have the same status as the other Universities that are recognized and function in Albania.
The next stop of the Patriarch’s visit was at the “Annunciation” Orthodox Diagnostic Center, where a jubilee celebration was organized for the Clinic’s tenth anniversary. During this activity, Patriarch Theodoros and his delegation became acquainted with the exact statistics on the number of medical visits, special features, and the modern equipment that the clinic possesses, as well as their future plans and objectives.
Patriarch Theodoros expressed his amazement about what he had seen during his days in Albania, as well as the high level of services offered in the “Annunciation” Clinic. He pointed out that during his visit of peace he has continued to learn from the work of Archbishop Anastasios. And, he has even counseled his accompanying delegation to keep careful notes, and to learn from the experience, in order that they may be able to apply in Africa similar services and assistance. “Archbishop Anastasios,” the Patriarch underlined, “knows that man is not just a soul that prays, but also flesh and body and he shows it through the social and medical care he has provided in Albania. I congratulate you on the outstanding progress and work.”
Archbishop Anastasios thanked Patriarch Theodoros for his words of admiration and high regard, and said that success cannot be attributed any one person, but to all the team that works with love and commitment. He informed the visiting dignitaries that across from the Diagnostic Center, in a building purchased for that purpose, a modern eye clinic will soon open to meet the new challenges of the coming decade that is beginning in the medical department of the Church.
It is worth noting that from the time of its inauguration by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I during his visit to Albania, to-date, 900,000 visits, analyses and different medical examinations have been performed.
Later that day, the Pope and Patriarch of All Africa, Theodoros II, together with his delegation, headed to the city of Korça. There he received an enthusiastic reception, worthy of a city of ancient Orthodox culture and tradition. The plaza in front of the Cathedral was full of people and youth who danced to the joyous tones of the traditional music of Korça.
The official reception for the Alexandrian Patriarch culminated in a doxology that was chanted in the “Resurrection of Christ” Cathedral. The Metropolitan of Korça, His Eminence John warmly welcomed the Patriarch to the city of Korça and emphasized that his visit constituted a historical event since for the first time in the history of the entire Church, the Patriarch of Alexandria visited our country and the city of Korça. The Metropolitan of Korça mentioned the fact that the Patriarch of Alexandria brings with himself the glorious history and the enlightenment of the Alexandrian Throne, as well as that of the great Patriarchs of Alexandria, Athanasius the Great, Cyril, and John the Merciful, who remain eternal teachers of Orthodox theology and truth. He addressed also Archbishop Anastasios, saying, “Thank you, Your Beatitude, for bringing to our city the Patriarch of Alexandria and his revered delegation. Thank you, Your Beatitude for choosing to celebrate your 80th birthday with us. You know that Korça loves you and deeply appreciates you for all your work for the resurrection of our Church, because we were spiritually dead, but in Christ you gave us life again.
Patriarch Theodoros in his greeting thanked Metropolitan John, for the impressive reception that he and the citizens of Korça had organized. “My teacher, Archbishop Anastasios,” the Patriarch continued, “has told me that in Korça he feels like he is in his own homeland. For this reason, he shows a special care and love for you. That is why he has appointed for you an energetic, young Metropolitan, my most dear brother in Christ, His Eminence John. He is your son, from Albania, who speaks with you in your own language, who understands very well your problems and troubles, and who tries, with body and soul, to help and guide to salvation the spiritual sons which God has entrusted to him.
In the Orthodox Church the obedience to the bishop is a fundamental rule for spiritual success and progress. I counsel you to help your Metropolitan and to obey him in everything, as the fathers of our Church counsel, so that you always have the grace and blessing of God”.
The Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, His Beatitude Theodoros II will remain in the city of Korça on Wednesday. A Patriarchal and Synodic concelebration of the two Primates in a Hierarchical Liturgy will take place at the Cathedral. Then the Patriarch will attend a number of official activities that are organized in honour of his official visit of peace to Albania.
Alex Çuri
Translated by Joan Baba
Edited by Anastasia Pamela Barksdale
