The joyous paschal greeting “CHRIST IS RISEN! – HE IS TRULY RISEN!”echoed throughout the orthodox communities of our Church during the feast of feasts. Like the sun of spring, Pascha warmed our hearts and filled the faithful with hope and a sense of renewal.  With anticipation, hundreds of faithful spent Holy Week longing for the glorious day of Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  The light of Resurrection brightened the entire Metropolis of Tirana. Holy Week, and the Resurrection Service in particular, conveyed many deep emotions and feelings. During the service of Resurrection the moving Paschal message of Archbishop Anastasios was read.
    Shkodër – In the northern city of Shkodra the faithful participated in Holy Week most attentively. The church “The Birth of Christ” welcomed both the orthodox community and the Malaysian Orthodox minority group that live in Shkodra as well, to share the common joy of Christ’s Resurrection. Fr. Alexander Petanin and his son, Deacon Niko, and Fr. Jovan Koroveshi officiated. The square surrounding the church was filled with candlelight and the prayers of the faithful. On Sunday afternoon there were receptions for the political and cultural authorities to extend their heart-felt greetings.
    Durrës  – At the “Apostle Paul and St. Asti Church”, Holy Week was an experience of happiness and dedication to all who attended. The spiritual ministry was lead by Fr. Spiro Tola, Fr. Spiro Qosja and Deacons Spiro Kostoli and Andon Gjonej. His Grace Bishop Nikolla officiated on Holy Thursday. This year the number of faithful who attended exceeded all previous years as well as those who partook of the sacrament of Holy Communion. On Easter Sunday a special reception took place in the church hall for the Defense Minister, Mr. Gazmend Oketa, Mayor Vangjush Dako and other public officials to extend their good wishes. Also, the clergy visited prisoners, to whom the message of Christ’s Resurrection was proclaimed and gifts were distributed to the inmates. 
    Elbasan – Hundreds of faithful attended the services during Holy Week at St. Nikolla and St. Athanasios. On Holy Wednesday and Friday, the services were conducted by His Grace, Bishop Andon. Holy Week presents a special motivation for the faithful to attend the trials of Our Lord Jesus Christ on a daily basis. They prayed for spiritual growth having in mind the example that Jesus Christ gave them.
 
 
    According to the clergy who serve here, Paschal celebrations bring together the faithful of other religions as well because, ‘the Resurrection of Christ is a feast which is celebrated all over the world and its message has no limits’. On Easter Sunday, many dignitaries from the regional government and representatives of various social groups paid visits and greeted the celebrants. 
    Kavajë – Holy Week started in Kavaje with beautiful chanting. The faithful experienced the awesome event that changed the world. The Church has marked this event as the focal point of the liturgical year and has beautifully shaped it with divine magnificence. The orthodox faithful of Kavaja and of the surrounding areas experienced the divine trials, which are both saving and terrifying. They lived with the emotions of His burial and descent to Hell, through which our being ascended from distortion and reached eternal life.
 
    The services took place in the church of St. Kolli. Everyone claimed ‘you are the living God who died on the wood, Oh dead, naked and Logos of the living God. You unlocked the gates of Heaven’. Each day carried special emotions until the joyful Holy Sunday of Holy Pascha came, the day in which we celebrate the life-giving resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
 
    ‘Christ is Risen from the dead. By death He has trampled upon death and to those in the tombs He is bestowing life’ 
 
    At the end of this arduous journey the faithful received many messages and commandments regarding their lives, they continued the celebrations keeping this Pascha with them with more love, faith and hope in their hearts.
 
 
     Isidor Koti
     Translated by Juliana Pici
     Edited by Melanie Linderman
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