Christmas is a celebration for everyone, for the poor and the rich, a celebration for those who are happy and those who are bitter… for the free and even for the imprisoned.  During this season it is a special blessing to be close to people, especially for those who need kindness, faith and optimism. These people can be found everywhere, in every corner of the planet, as well as in our own country.

   

     

    There are 220 prisoners in Prison 325 in Tirana. One hundred forty of these are men and 80 are women.  For the past 10 years the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania has worked together with the staff and director of this prison to help materially and spiritually and the collaboration has always been genial and effective. This activity began with Archbishop Anastasios’ blessing and support, and continues  to aid in a humane rehabilitation of the prisoners.

    Fr. Sotir Xhaferri and Pres. Marjana took the first steps to create this collaboration which continues today with the caring service of the Orthodox Women’s Office “The Spread of Love” and some of the Orthodox Missionaries which help in our Church’s humanitarian activities in Albania.

   

     

    On Thursday before this Christmas some representatives from our church (including clergy, women, and youth) made a special visit to this prison in which they passed out presents and Christmas icons, and also spent time talking to the prisoners with warmth and spiritual friendship.

    The leader of the Orthodox Women’s Group, Ms. Rajmonda Shqevi, gave a presentation about all the work and help which our Church has given over these years, stressing the spirit of kindness, humanity and love which characterized this help.

   


    

    Ms. Rajmonda elaborated on the help our Church has given such as paying for the electricity in the women’s section, contributing food and clothing, and building a greenhouse for cultivating flowers and vegetables (a gift by our church in the beginning of 2001).

    This greenhouse has been a great financial help to the women as all the proceeds from selling their produce goes to the women prisoners.  At the same time is has helped the prisoners in a psychological way, giving the women a place to spend time and work through some of their difficulties.

    Deacon Hector spoke about the meaning of Christmas and said, “For this holiday we give many presents to each other, but we shouldn’t forget the greatest gift during this time which is the gift God gave all of us: He gave His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ.  Usually we think of salvation as the next life.  But salvation begins in this time, in this life.  Christ tells us in the Bible that ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is within you’. 

    The world in which we live surrounds us with evil, but one of Christ’s names is Emanuel which means ‘God is with us’.  So even in life’s greatest difficulties God is with us.  We try to live a life in Christ because when God is with us we are all filled with peace, joy and love”

    Hiero-deacon Asti also spoke, saying that people with the belief that God is with us also have a responsibility since they also must be with Him.  There comes a time when people take a look at their lives, at all they have done and what they are doing now.  And we today understand that before long a year will end and a new one will begin, which demands a new responsibility, a new vision, keeping in mind that we also should be with God and in Him and this can only be accomplished with optimism and love for life, which is a gift from God.

    The men and women of this prison met the representatives from our Church with warmth and gratitude for remembering, visiting and helping them.  You could feel the mutual love and respect and the joy in the heartfelt wish “Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.”

 

 

By Isidor Koti  &  Sonila Dedja

Translated by Kristiana Muça and Georgia Gilman
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