The ceremony to present the degree was beautifully organized by the directors of the university and took place on March 20th, 2007. First, His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios, accompanied by Metropolitan Dimitrios of Gjirokaster and various other representatives from our Church, was welcomed by a number of people from the island including, Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Zakinthos, Mr. S. Poulimenos – prefect of the island, Mayor S. Mikalef, and the University Rector, Prof. Dr. Chugarakis.
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A reception was held in the main square of the city, in front of the historic and holy church of St. Spyridon, a well-known pilgrimage site. Inside the church some short prayers were read, followed by a welcoming speech by Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu. Then His Beatitude Anastasios greeted the people.
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The Archbishop gave concrete facts to describe the astounding development in the resurrection and rebuilding of the Orthodox Church in Albania. He mentioned that despite the fact that some of the those present had perhaps heard about this miracle taking place only a few miles from their island, they couldn’t have imagined its real dimensions.
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This speech and all events of the weekend were followed closely by the local media, which transmitted it in full, both on television and in the newspapers.
Later in the afternoon a beautiful ceremony took place on the central campus of the University, attended by many professors, students and intellectuals of the city.
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For the 15th time Archbishop Anastasios of Albania has received the title “Doctor Honoris Causa”. This time it was given by this University.
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The rector of the university, Prof. Dr. Chugarakis welcomed Archbishop Anastasios, and chair of the History Dept., Ms. J. Harlafti read the decision of the Senate for the declaration of His Beatitude as Honorary Doctor of the History Dept. of Jonian University. Professor of Classical Philosophy, Mr. Vajos Vajopoulos also gave a heartfelt and poetic speech for Archbishop Anastasios, his life which is an example for all people, for his work as a hierarch in Africaand as Archbishop of a church rebuilt from its foundations, and for his many publications.
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Then the Archbishop gave a speech titled “Orthodoxy and the different religions of Europe”. Following this the participants watched a short documentary about the state in which the Archbishop found the Orthodox Church in Albania when he first arrived and some of the measures taken to rebuild it.
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Both presentations were well received by the audience who filled the large hall, and by many people outside who were able to watch it, projected on the side of a building.
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The choir of the Music Department together with the Corfu Society of Psalters closed the ceremony with church hymns.
In the end the Archbishop greeted and blessed all in attendance, one by one, including many Albanians who are currently studying or working on the island.
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The next day the Archbishop visited several of the island’s monasteries and spoke with the monks and nuns about the resurrection of the Orthodox Church in Albania.
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Finally the people of Corfu gave His Beatitude a warm farewell at the port from which he left to return to Albania.
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Translated by Georgia Gilman
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