A Joyous Christmas in spite of the Pandemics
In spite of the gloomy atmosphere due to the pandemics, Christmas was celebrated again this year with light and joy and spread a message of hope to all the faithful. The divine liturgy and vigils were celebrated following all the necessary restrictions and social distance which were required due to the pandemics. The faithful kept the masks during the whole time and maintained the acquired distance. Liturgies were celebrated in all the churches in Tirana city in order to avoid the crowds of people. The same thing happened in the Metropolitan communities as well. In the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral and in the Annunciation Church in Tirana, there were two subsequent liturgies on the Christmas day.
A big joy to the orthodox community of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania was the presence of His Beatitude, Anastasios who managed to overcome the coronavirus challenge and celebrate together with the faithful this special event for Orthodoxy. On Friday morning, on 25 December 2020, Archbishop Anastasios celebrated the panegyric divine Liturgy in the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Tirana together with His Grace Nathanail, Metropolitan of Amantia, Bishop Asti of Bylis and other clergy from the Archiepiscopate. Those faithful who could not come to church, attended the divine liturgy on line through the live broadcasting on Albanian National TV channel or other private television broadcastings.
The Christmas message “The Definite Presence” by Archbishop Anastasios, was delivered by Bishop Asti of Bylis. Several parts of the message highlighted that “This year, Christmas is celebrated without superficial panegyrics, without social and family gatherings and without the participation of hundreds of faithful in the worshipping church services… perhaps this time, there is less abundant noise and no nonsense elements on this feast, which used to serve only the financial aims and the vain glory transforming thus the true meaning of such a unique celebration.
Nonetheless, in spite of the transformation and desolation which threatened the joy of Christmas this year, there is still that unique event which always prevails on Christmas, that is the arrival and presence of the Son and Word of God. Christ does not come to us, as a visitor, in order to greet us wholeheartedly and leave unnoticed afterwards. He comes to stay with us. This is the meaning of the word, Emmanuel, which means, “God is with us.” Also Christ does not come as a powerful man to take away our freedom and impose His will on us. He comes as a baby with a smile of peace and hope on His face to stay with us to share our deprivation and to live like a stranger, as we do”
Then Archbishop Anastasios talked about his recovering from Covid 19 experience and extended his gratitude to the faithful for their heartfelt wishes and fervent prayers. He also added that we should still be careful and alert since there are lots of people suffering out there from this disease but it is important that we overcome the loneliness this challenge brings by leaning on Christ and making Him the center of our life.
