Promotion of the “Construction Work in the Metropolis of Gjirokastra” Publication
A Spiritual Encounter with Archbishop Anastasios:
Promotion of the “Construction Work in the Metropolis of Gjirokastra” Publication
On Saturday, August 13, in Gjirokastra, a meeting was held for the promotion of Volume II of the book “Construction Work in the Metropolis of Gjirokastra 1992-2015” a publication of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania. The event which was organized under the auspices of His Grace Demetrios, Metropolitan of Gjirokastra had in its focus the publication and the presentation of the content of the publication. The event was a dedication to the Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and All Albania, Archbishop Anastasios which eventually turned into a good opportunity for remembering the entire 25 year journey since Archbishop’s arrival in Albania. The activity took place at the premises of Spirit of Love 9-year school, within a beautiful building next to the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral.
This 25th jubilee (of Archbishop Anastasios’ arrival in Albania as Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, on July 16, 1991), is being commemorated by our Church with a series of significant events and activities such as the inauguration of the hydropower station, the consecration of the Cathedral Church in Gjirokastra, the today’s spiritual activity as well as the consecration of the Church in Mesopotam on August 14. Whereas on Monday, August 15, on the feast of the Dormition of Theotokos, Archbishop Anastasios will celebrate the Divine Liturgy in Delvine, exactly at the same place where 25 years ago, on August 19, 1991, he had celebrated the Liturgy in the open area, under the plane tree where once had been located the church that was destroyed during the atheistic persecution.
Besides Archbishop Anastasios and His Grace Demetrios, in the promotion event, there were present also His Grace Nathaniel, Metropolitan of Amantia, Ms. L. Rova, the Director of Education of Gjirokastra, Mr. V. Tolios, the Consul of Greece in Gjirokastra, Mr. J. Kapsalis, the Rector of the University of Ioannina, etc. Professor Kapsalis, with a touching greeting speech compared the atmosphere that he had encountered when he first visited our country by the end of 80s with the new image that he finds at present, an image which has changed, as he stated, also due to the unlimited commitment of Archbishop Anastasios. And this indicates once again, claimed professor Kapsalis, the multifaceted radiation of His Beatitude, as a spiritual shepherd, a scientist, a researcher and a scholar, who by his example inspires the entire academic and university world.
Dozens of intellectuals, educators and writers from the area had come to enjoy the presence of the Archbishop and to congratulate him on the promotion of his book as well as to express their deep respect and honor towards him. Thus, the activity turned to a spiritual meeting within a warm family atmosphere.
Next Mr. A. Rembeci and Mr. O. Beci, who dealt with the preparation of the publication, spoke about the diversity of works, the construction of infrastructure for the benefit of the community and the restoration of many monasteries and churches, of school buildings and spiritual centers in various parishes, which are also the subject of the promoted book. Within the context of publication, they recalled the situation of our Church back then and the extent to which it has reached 25 years later. It was also emphasized that all this construction work was not an end in itself or to fulfill the worshiping needs of the community, but it served the development of social and educational work.
In particular, the speakers referred to the special contribution of Archbishop Anastasios in completing, according to the most advanced scientific criteria, the reconstruction and restoration of those churches and monasteries that are monuments of spiritual and cultural heritage. In regions of the Metropolis of Gjirokastra, which is rich in such monuments of Byzantine architecture, 70 full and partial interventions are performed to solve the existent problems with the monuments.
The “Construction work” involved in these two volumes is quite rich in photographic material. Each of the works had a special design and most of them were built through major difficulties often artificially caused.
All this work progresses due to the special care, generosity and self-sacrificing spirit of His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios. As an act of love and hieroapostolism, this work was part of the faithful’s prayer and became available to them for worship, teaching, spiritual meditation, philanthropy, etc.
In his concluding speech Archbishop Anastasios, described in touching words, but also with concrete examples the 25-year journey as the primate of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania. His Beatitude referred to the early days, and especially to the first liturgical worshiping experiences in Delvine, Fier, Berat etc. Archbishop Anastasios spoke also of the difficulties he had encountered with his health, and this was not to tell a story about himself, but to comfort many people who suffered by themselves or whose relatives would suffer from different illnesses. Archbishop concluded with his wish that God of miracles and surprises grant to the reviving Orthodox Church of Albania more perspective and creativity, so that the country gets transformed from a place with symbols of hatred, fear and misunderstanding to a place with more churches, such as those described in the publications, and with more symbols of peace, prayer, faith, love and understanding.
At the end of the event, Archbishop Anastasios talked to all those present in the event and personally blessed each of the participants congratulating them on the valuable work they do for the progress not only of the Church but also of the entire society.
Translated by : Juljana Kodheli
