Heartfelt Congratulations to Archbishop Anastasios on the Feast of St. Anastasios the Persian.
On January 22, the church celebrates St. Anastasios the Persian, who dedicated himself to Orthodoxy while living in a foreign country in which he was also martyred. On this day, His Beatitude Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana and all Albania, celebrates also his name day.
On January 22, 2021 a Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Tirana. It was headed by Archbishop Anastasios who concelebrated with His Grace Nikolla, Metropolitan of Fier and Apollonia, His Grace Andon, Metropolitan of Elbasan, His Grace Nathanail, Metropolitan of Amantia, Bishop Asti of Bylis and the clergy from the Archiepiscopate.
The sermon, on the feast day of St. Anastasios the Persian, was delivered by Archimandrite Anastasios. A very special moment during the liturgy was when Father Viktor Berdufi was awarded the church rank of iconom stavrofor and all the faithful claimed “Worthy!” to him in return.
At the end of the Liturgy, Archbishop Anastasios was congratulated by His Grace Nikolla, who spoke on behalf of the Synod and the faithful emphasizing that in the background of all the achievements of our Church there is Archbishop Anastasios’ wisdom, sacrifice and effort. “With gratitude and thanks we wish him health and many blessed years. And may God grant him many years in the leadership of our Church,” he exclaimed.
Then, Archbishop Anastasios took his word and said: “Traditionally we say “For many years!” to someone celebrating his name day, but it is important that our years of life on earth get filled with the presence of Christ…. “Thank you all, he continued, “because during these 30 years, which were quite challenging, I felt that I was always supported by your love, respect and your will to cooperate. Let us walk, therefore, according to the commandment of Apostle Paul, who even in today’s gospel encourages us to suffer because of the Gospel, but it also reminds us that God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and wisdom.
The faithful who were present in the church followed all the restrictions imposed due to the Pandemic situation and also expressed their regret that the annual reception during which the faithful wish the Archbishop, was not organized this year.
