The Orthodox Youth “Sons of Light” in Tirana, in preparation for Christmas, during the period November to December 2013, undertook an initiative in collaboration with the Orthodox believers of Tirana, and prepared about 120 food packages. They were distributed to 120 very poor families. Respectively, 84 packages in Tirana, and 36 food packages for the families of policemen killed on duty in the district of Shkodra .
This initiative was introduced to the believers by Archbishop Anastasios at the end of the Divine Liturgy, in which he urged them to support the youth group, and to contribute foods, clothing, medicines, and money. Each package was filled with food staples such as flour, sugar, oil, beans, rice, pasta etc.
The believers supported this initiative and immediately began to be in contact with the organizers in order to offer their gifts. The collection of the relief ended on 22 December and immediately after the packages were prepared, and distributed to families in need. In Tirana, the day before Christmas, a festive event was held on the premises of the “Resurrection of Christ” Cathedral.
For those families who, because of various difficulties such as distance, illness or old age, had no possibility to come and receive this gift themselvs, the young people sent the packets to their home.
This initiative was also the finalization of various trainings that are made for this purpose, in collaboration with Diakonia Agapes – The Service of Love of the Church, with topics like, “The Mobilization of the Community” and “Fundraising” etc. The aim is for young people to become active members in the community, and to ease the pain and poverty of people in need.
The same initiative was also undertaken by the youth of the Diocese of Korça, where 30 food packages were prepared, as well as the youth of the Diocese of Berat, with 35 food packages .
Jani Meni, Coordinator of the Youth Office
