Graduation at the end of one’s studies is always a key moment in every young student’s life, but it gets a deeper meaning when the whole work and study is dedicated to God. On June 12, 2018, at the Resurrection of Christ Theological Academy, at the Monastery of St. Vlash in Durres, the day of graduation involved academic as well as spiritual joy for the achievement of such an important objective in life and finally being able to serve the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania in all its areas. This year, eleven new graduates successfully completed their four years of studies at the Academy.
The activities on this occasion, as always, began with the Divine Liturgy, which was led by the Metropolitan of Apollonia and Fier, His Grace Nikolla. Also the clergy serving at the Academy concelebrated. There were the Academy students chanting during the Liturgy as well as parents, friends and guests who came from far away to share such a joy with the students. Subsequently, all participants headed to the Academy conference hall. What gave the participants a much bigger excitement on this day was the special presence at the graduation of the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, His Beatitude Anastasios, as well as of the Metropolitan of Elbasan, His Grace Andoni, Metropolitan of Amantia, His Grace Nathanail and Bishop Asti of Bylis.
The graduation ceremony opened with several church hymns chanted from the choir of students. Later, Metropolitan Nikolla continued with his greeting speech, in which he emphasized the important role of the four- year studies in this Academy, and expressed his belief that the eleven graduating students would be considered as trusting young associates of the Orthodox Church of Albania. He congratulated all the parents and participants in the ceremony. He especially thanked Archbishop Anastasios for making possible the studies for the students in modern facilities, as well as the entire pedagogical staff.
Then the second best student, Mr. Apostol Kapurani delivered his word in which he referred to some passages about “Love, Hope and Faith.” from “The Ladder”, a book by St. John of Sinai. Next, the valedictorian student Mr. Mateo Tauzi, thanked in his speech His Beatitude Anastasios for giving him the opportunity for studying in the Academy and his ongoing support. He also thanked his parents for their support, and the academic staff for their co-operation.
The event ended with the words and fatherly blessings of Archbishop Anastasios, who emphasized that the feelings of gratitude and responsibility towards the Church, the country, the families, the society and ourselves should prevail within each of us, especially in the newly graduates. He wished them for further success in life and once again brought to their attention the importance of the three new university branches which would soon operate at Logos University College.
Then, in a special meeting with the students, they discussed the many opportunities they have for their further studies, as well as all the necessary support that would be continuously provided by His Beatitude Anastasios.
