On Sunday, August 14, in Mesopotami village in the area of Finiqi, on the road linking Gjirokastra and Saranda, a pre-celebration took place. His Beatitude Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and All Albania in the framework of his visit to the Metropolis of Gjirokastra, together with the Metropolitan of Gjirokastra, His Grace Demetrius and the Metropolitan of Amantia, His Grace Nathanail performed the Consecration of the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. This church was built on the initiative, funds and direct care of His Beatitude. Many faithful from the area, but also from the surrounding parishes, gathered to participate in such an important event for the Orthodox community of the Metropolis of Gjirokastra. There were present also MP, Mr. V. Dule, Mayor of Finiq, Mr. L. Kristo, President of the “Omonia” organization, Mr. L. Papa, Ambassador of Greece Mrs. E. Sourani etc.
Interpreting St. John Chrysostom advice, according to whom veneration of Saints is trying to imitate them and to be like them, Archbishop Anastasios delivered a message to the believers: He stated that their consecrated church bears the names of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and spoke to them about the personalities of these two apostles as well as their characteristics, encouraging Mesopotamian believers to study in depth these saints’ life along with the letters in the New Testament that they addressed.
Archbishop Anastasios presided over the service of the Consecration of the Church and the Divine Liturgy that followed, and preached the word of God to the participants. Particularly he emphasized the fact that Apostles Peter and Paul had two completely different characters and even the starting point of their journey was not at all similar. Yet, four common features make them so dear to Christians, and so precious to the Church of Christ and good examples to imitate: they eagerly wanted to know God; they were not always infallible, and they repented for their mistakes; they possessed boundless love for God and for the people; and finally, they were self-denial.
His Beatitude wished that the holy church just consecrated become the epicenter of worship and a temple of love, of peace, of brotherhood, of social contribution and offerings.
After the Divine Liturgy, the lecturers and students of the Spirit of Love College founded by Archbishop Anastasios and which still operating under his direct auspices, staged a short festive activity on the occasion of the Consecration day and the 25th anniversary of the arrival of Archbishop Anastasios in Albania. This institution includes a vocational high school in four specialties and a general high school, both located in a contemporary building in the yard of the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. The program included art pieces and personal experiences shared by students who had completed this school (it was opened in September 2006). In their life accounts, they expressed their deep appreciation and gratitude for Archbishop Anastasios’ original initiative to build such an educational center. There are already dozens of young men and women who have completed and have continued their studies further or who have already started to practice the skills gained in this institution. But above all, what they learned there and still learn today is Christian love and the principles of social morality and good behavior.
Finally, all the faithful who received the blessing of Archbishop Anastasios expressed their gratitude about the new church that was built, the school and the service of consecration in particular, as a moment of climax for their parish, and also they wished Archbishop Anastasios many blessed years as the head of the Orthodox Church in Albania.
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The Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, is located in advantageous premises in the center of the Mesopotami village. The land is owned by the church and was bought by the Church last year. It is a beautiful church of semi-prefabricated type, a domed basilica with cubes. In the western and southern side there is a covered porch supported in harmonious arcades. The area of the church is 230 m2. The bell tower is in a short distance from the church and its height is 16.5 m. Its beautiful design distinguishes the complex, but also adds beauty to the center of the village. They were built during the 2000-2004 period with the initiative, funds and close supervision of Archbishop Anastasios. Steps have been taken to equip the interior of the church with wooden iconostasis, icons, and sacred objects. Under the special care of the Metropolitan of Gjirokastra, His Grace Demetrios the Divine Liturgy is regularly celebrated in this church since its completion, and it constitutes an important center of worship for the parish and especially for the College young men and women who can develop their spiritual activities there.
In the same territory, as stated above, there is the school building and other facilities. The entire yard and the surrounding area make up a charming nice park.
Also, under the care of Archbishop Anastasios, in the previous years in this village social programs were implemented and services were provided to help the community, as was the expansion of public schools by providing facilities and modern classrooms, the regulation of common road network, etc.
Translated by: Juljana Kodheli
