For the first time the Renewal Camp with Orthodox students was held at the new Tabor Center in Tirana. About 60 young people came from all the different diocese of the country for a new experience during summer break. The unique aim was the spiritual cultivation into a Christian society. This camp included education and cultural activities as well as excursions to various spiritual centers.
Every day began and finished with prayers and time for meditation, including services and Divine Liturgies on special days. During the fasting days of August before the celebration of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, the campers did the Paraklesis service daily in honor of the Most Holy Virgin.
After breakfast the camp continued with Bible Studies where campers, separated into groups, discussed the Epistle and Gospel of the day. Discussion questions were part of the spiritual talks given by catechists, theologians, and priests, about our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount. The spiritual life continued during the meals with the singing of Christian songs. As always sports activities were also a part of camp.
A special moment for the campers was a visit to the building site of the new cathedral in the center of the capital. The last day of camp held a special surprise; Tabor Festival 2006, in which all campers representing their various groups, improvised and competed with songs and skits. The group “Peacemakers” won first place in the festival and were awarded with an icon of the Virgin Mary.
On that same night our Archbishop was a guest and he spent a special time with the campers as he remembered his own youth, when with dedication and much zeal he participated in church camps. He transferred to the youth the spirit of love and the Orthodox Christian faith.
The Archbishop also told them about the moment when he decided to serve the Church as a missionary and a clergy member. He also expressed his belief that the Albanian Orthodox Church will continue to produce a new generation of clergy which will serve God and His people.
On August 7th, at the Tabor Center, a Divine Liturgy was held, commemorating 46 years since Archbishop Anastasios was consecrated as a deacon. Before leaving many of the youth expressed their thanks to the Archbishop for his contribution towards our church.
Isidor Koti
Translated by Robert Pelushi and Georgia Gilman
