The students and teachers of the grades 1-9 “Spirit of Love” Greek-Albanian School in Gjirokastra had a pleasant surprise at the beginning of the Church and school year — a modern new building. It was the latest contribution of Archbishop Anastasios for the Orthodox Community of that city in the area of educating the younger generation, which has always been a priority for His Beatitude. Although it created a challenge considering the difficult financial situation that the region is undergoing, the school moved into its permanent building, making concrete the message of hope that the Church tries to keep alive in every condition and time. It is a very beautiful complex and a very modern educational building, near the new Cathedral of the Resurrection of the Christ, which is under construction. It is a materialization of one of the most beautiful ideas of our Archbishop Anastasios for the Orthodox Church to make a valuable contribution in the field of education, as well as a statement that wherever our cathedrals are, they are not just cult buildings, but become important centers for social contributions, which distribute rays of peace, social progress and, most especially, knowledge and education.
With the establishment of the school in this building, the most essential step in stabilizing the performance of the school has been made, but also for raising the essential educational level it offers. This contribution is significant not only for the Orthodox community itself, but for all of the society.
The educational buildings next to the cathedral have been established from their foundation and possess enough room not only for teaching the actual number of classes and students, but also for future prospects. Currently the school has reached the fifth grade (begun in the academic year 2008-2009) and the number of students exceeds 140.
