On Monday, June 2, 2014, the Primates and representatives continued with meetings with the top leaders of the Albanian State. The first meeting was held with the President of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Bujar Nishani, at the headquarters of the President. Welcoming them once again, the Head of the Albanian State noted that after half a century of dictatorship, when the practice of religion was prohibited by law, when the clergy were persecuted mercilessly and the religious cults were destroyed, in Albania today another magnificent place of worship was added – the new Orthodox Cathedral in the center of Tirana. President Nishani noted the undeniable values of our people: the tolerance, the harmony and the excellent religious coexistence, adding that Albania and Albanians have worked and will always contribute to good neighborly relations, cooperation, understanding and dialogue with their neighbors in the region. Because only through these principles, peoples and our countries will move forward in peace and prosperity. “These Albanians virtues of harmony, tolerance and religious coexistence, Albania also will offer as added values to the greater European family, of which we intend to be part and integrated into soon”, emphasized President Nishani.
Thanking the President, Mr. Nishani for his hospitality, His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, praised the changes and the progress that has marked our country noting that the new Orthodox Cathedral is another clear proof that Albania fully enjoys freedom of religion, after the bitter past that was suffered. The Ecumenical Patriarch also expressed his wishes and blessings for Albania to receive as soon as possible candidate status, because except, in addition to its achievements, the Albanian nation is one of the oldest in the continent and fully deserves to be in the bosom of the European Union.
The Primates and the Orthodox representatives, along with Archbishop Anastasios, met also with the President of the Assembly, Mr. Ilir Meta. He expressed his warmest wishes for the Consecration of the new “Resurrection of Christ” Cathedral Church, conveying the gratitude for the honor that the Patriarch Bartholomew I and other patriarchs have given to Albanian people with their presence, turning Tirana in a center of World Orthodoxy during the consecration ceremony. Mr. Meta praised the great work that has been done by the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania over the last 23 years throughout the country, in terms of the community service and for the quality of coexistence in Albania, a model which the Albanian people preserves with a special pride. “Albania pays special attention to religious freedom and coexistence, and today we are proud to give this positive example in the Balkans, where the Albanian people are guided by the principles of good neighborliness and coexistence through the path of peace and tolerance, leaving behind the conflicts of the past”, said Mr. Meta.
The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his gratitude and that of all the Orthodox Church for the Albanian authorities regarding strengthening the role of the Orthodox Church in the service of the Albanian society and in particular by supporting the major construction project of the “Resurrection of Christ” cathedral in the center Tirana. The Patriarch also noted that Albania has undergone radical changes over the years being transformed into a European country spiritually reborn and with an example of freedom and religious coexistence. “On behalf of all Orthodox Primates and through you, we wish to convey our deep gratitude to all the members of the Assembly of Albania and to the Albanian people for the support, solidarity and commitment shown over the years”, said the Patriarch Bartholomew.
The Primates and the representatives of the Orthodox Churches, accompanied by Archbishop Anastasios and the members of the Holy Synod, met with the Prime Minister, Mr. Edi Rama, at the seat of the Council of Ministers. The Mayor of Tirana and head of the Democratic Party, Mr. Lulzim Basha welcomed His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, and primates and representatives of the Orthodox Churches, accompanied by Archbishop Anastasios and by the Metropolitan of Korça, His Eminence John. “The consecration of the “Resurrection of Christ” Cathedral and the presence of the Primates of the Orthodox Churches in Tirana – said the Mayor Basha – is yet more evidence of tolerance and coexistence in our country. Just a few meters – not far from one another- is the Mosque of Et’hem Beu, the “Resurrection of Christ” Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Evangelical Church, said Mr. Basha, of which Albanians are proud and this is an added value for the EU, which Albania expects to join in the near future.” His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed thanks to the citizens of Tirana for their hospitality during the stay in Tirana and stressed that Albania is an example that should be followed for the coexistence and tolerance among people with different religious beliefs, traditions and cultures.
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