Christmas hymns were heard throughout the Episcopal neighborhood of the Holy Metropolis of Gjirokastra. The atmosphere was alive for days and reached beyond the gloom that also encompasses the society due to the economic conditions, Christmas came to remind us all that there is hope.
Christmas is for the most part the feast of children. There are some schools established by Archbishop Anastasios that operate in the Metropolis, whose pupils by their performances made the festive atmosphere to be felt not only in the church environments. Such as the 9-year Greek-Albanian school “Spirit of Love” which held its Christmas celebration at the Theater “Zihni Sako” of the city of Gjirokastra, while the Professional High Schools “Apostle Paul” held its celebration in the theatre of the city of Saranda.
Beautiful celebrations were also organized by the children of all kindergartens of the Metropolis, where youngsters had the opportunity to sing and recite to Christ our God and also to show their parents the progress that they have made. It’s exciting to see their commitment to the creation of the manger and festive atmosphere in their environments that reflects also in their homes and families. Thus, the whole society is enlightened and hears by their carols – the great news of the coming of God on earth…
Also the feast that was organized in the hall of activities of their school by the students of the Ecclesiastical Lyceum “Holy Cross” had seriousness and youthful enthusiasm. After the Divine Liturgy they offered an artistic program in the presence of the Metropolitan of Gjirokastra, His Eminence Demetrios, and their teachers and parents. Metropolitan Demetrios praised them for everything they had prepared, the zeal that they showed in their spiritual and academic progress, and urged them to radiate Christmas and keep the spirit alive in their social environments. Reminding them of everything that our Church and Archbishop Anastasios has done, He directed them that the deeper message of the incarnation of our Lord and God and his birth as a man is to be experienced with acts of love, reconciliation and humility.
Christmas Divine Liturgy was conducted by Metropolitan Demetrios in the old Church of the Transfiguration of God, with the participation of the believers of Gjirokastra and in particular the Orthodox catechism and youth groups.
The liturgy took place not only in the large city centers of this Metropolis: Përmet, Sarandë, Delvinë, Himarë, Tepelenë etc, but also in the villages, where ever there is an opportunity to have a priest. Also on other days in all the churches the message of Christmas of his Beatitude, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, Anastasios was celebrated.
Throughout the weeks before Christmas, under the special direction of the Metropolitan, liturgies and other services were conducted in our Church in all the villages, large or small.
Korresp. i “Ngjallja”
