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Three important activities preceded the festive atmosphere of Christmas in Berat.
For ten days, the churches and the roads of the town were all decorated with streamers and colorful lights; the main square of Berat and every house within the vicinity had a Christmas tree in which one could spot the toys, ribbons, the light bulbs and even the presents hidden underneath so as to please the smiling children, these angels of great hope.
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The Divine Liturgy was held at the church of St. Spyridon, on the 20th of December which is also the day of the St. Hieromartyr Ignatios the God-bearer and was lead by His Eminence Ignatios who was accompanied by a number of priests coming from different parishes of the Diocese. During the liturgy all the participants followed with great interest the ordination of Deacon Nikolla Lushi, a former catechist, who was added to the long list of Albanian clerics ordained in the last sixteen years.
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In the evening of the 23rd of December and during the early hours of the 24th, many Orthodox youth groups were received with great excitement, generosity and symbolic treatments at the houses in Berat but also in the Hall of the Metropolis. They were carrying boxes with the icon of the Nativity and the leading star in their hands and they were inspiringly singing the following carol: “Sirs and Madams, we are coming to cheer you up since in Bethlehem a king was born today…” It must be emphasized that such a beautiful tradition is being regenerated more and more each year.
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On the 25th of December, a great number of faithful from different areas started to move towards the church of St. Spyridon in Gorrica and in the ex-cathedral of St. Mary which is inside the castle and in which the Divine Liturgy was magnificently celebrated at six o’clock in the morning.
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At the end of the Liturgy, the message of His Eminence Ignatios was carefully read and listened to in both churches and it was forwarded to the clerics and to the faithful of the Diocese of Berat. It stated the following: “Who will join people in brotherhood? Who will become the Saviour and the Liberator for each person and the whole mankind? Who else except Him who was born in Bethlehem, the Son of the Virgin and God, Jesus Christ, the One whom we worship?
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Because the angel said “Don’t be afraid; because here I bring the good news about the great joy that all the people will share since a Savior was born for you tonight in the town of David, who is Christ, the Lord” (Luke 10-11). This message ended with the worthy commission that “…here, in our churches, there is our God who was rich but became poor in order to enrich all of us. Let’s approach Him with repentance and ask for forgiveness. Let’s make a decision for a much worthy life. And then we will be sure that the Holy Manger will become a station and place of salvation even for us.”
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Being truly excited from this magnificent celebration of the whole mankind, the faithful made an unforgettable visit in the Metropolis Hall. There were also among them the Prefect of Berat and his colleagues, the Head of the Municipality of Berat along with other members of the municipal council and representatives of the Muslim community of Berat. They were all heartily welcomed by the Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of Berat, Vlora, Kanina and all Myzeqe, His Eminence Ignatios, who delivered a message of peace, cooperation, tolerance and brotherhood for the benefit of all the citizens. |
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Translated by Juliana Pici
