News from
Orthodoxy in Albania
Occasional Publication of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania
Number 7, May 22, 1998
Articles in this Issue:
Church Opens Radio Station
Archbishop Speaks at Council of European Churches
University Students Gather for Religious Retreat on Relationships
Women of Korca Minister to the Needy
Priest’s Wives Gather Together for First National Retreat
Orthodox Joyfully Celebrate Easter Throughout Albania
On Palm Sunday, April 12, 1998, the Orthodox Church experiment-ally opened its new “Resurrection” Radio Station at the Church of St. Prokopi in Tirana. Archbishop Anastasios inaugurated the Radio Station with a Blessing of the Waters service on April 20.
The Radio Station transmits classical music 24 hours a day throughout Tirana on 88.5 FM, and offers a news and religious program three hours a day, from 14:30-17:30. The weekly program includes general local, national and international news, as well as particular church related events, Bible Readings, Readings from the Lives of the Saints, sayings of the Church Fathers, reading of the Bible for children, different dramas and fairy tales for children, a weekly sermon on the Sunday Gospel, interviews from different personalities and workers of the Church.
Plans for the future include broadcasting a program 12 hours and expanding its capabilities so that all parts of Albania will be able to receive the program.
His Beatitude Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana and all Albania gave an address at a conference sponsored by the Council of Europe’s European Commission for Democracy through Law, The Institute of International Relations (Panteion Univeristy, Athens), and Hellenic Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Held in Strasbourg, France, on May 5-6, 1998, the theme of the conference was “Democratic Institutions and Civil Society in South-Eastern Europe.”
The inaugural speech was given by Mr. Rexhep Meidani, president of the Republic of Albania. Mrs. Leni Fischer, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mr. Daniel Tarschys, Secretary General of the Council of Europe and Mr. Dimitris Constas, permanent representative of Greece to the Council of Europe gave opening remarks.
In the final working session, Archbishop Anastasios spoke on the theme “Social Co-Existence in Religious Pluralism,” using the Albanian context as a concrete example for the necessity of tolerance and peaceful relations between religious communities. He summarized his talk with these words, “For a vision of peaceful co-existence among the religious communities in South Eastern Europe to become a reality, it is certain that general observations of the past and a vague optimism for the future are insufficient. Of course, traditional and historical experiences are valuable, but we cannot simply copy them since our international, modern political-social data and framework differ. The religious communities must search the principles of a healthy anthropology from the depths of their teaching and the best pages of their tradition, giving emphasis to the sincere respect of each human being, and struggle for the development and prevalence of these principles through the ethos of the leadership and education of their members.
It must persistently be stressed that every war in the name of religion is an offense against religion. The holy oil of religion should not be used to ignite or intensify the fire of armed conflicts; it is a divine gift to calm the hearts, heal the wounds, and bring individuals and peoples together in peace. Each religion is called upon to develop what is more genuine, deep, and beautiful in what she possesses, and with these, to address the civil society in a peaceful and edifying way. The only possibility for peaceful living in our region is an acceptance of the existing pluralism, through the initiative of the religious communities themselves. At the same time there should be a sincere respect for each person’s freedom of conscience, and the rights of all minority groups in every country.
What is asked for is not simply religious tolerance, but something much more positive: conscious mutual respect, understanding, and solidarity among people; creative cooperation in common humanitarian aims; steady effort towards social harmony; and genuine acts of love. “He who loves God cannot but love each man like himself.” Only in these ways, can we remain consequent to the deeper inspirations and living experiences of our faith.
Our final proposal is this: With the active contribution of all religious communities, let us proceed toward a wider commonwealth of peace and solidarity, which secures justice and human dignity for every person, for every people, for every minority, and leads to a deeper, human culture.”
University Students Gather For Retreat on Relationships
On May 15-17, 1998, 113 university students gathered together in the city of Durres for a three day retreat conducted by the Orthodox Student Fellowship. The theme of the conference was “Relationships: Growing Closer to God and One Another."
The purpose of the retreat was to offer students an opportunity to experience three days of Christian fellowship, prayer and learning. Students participated in a variety of spiritual and social activities, including morning and evening worship services, four main presentations with small group discuss-ions, time for confession and counseling, organized skits, activities, games, and songs, as well as free time to walk along the scenic beach of Durres.
On the final day of the retreat, all the students celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of St. Vlash, and then visited the Resurrection of Christ Theological Seminary.
The majority of the participating students are active members in the Orthodox university fellowship. Weekly activities on campus include a Tuesday night spiritual discussion and an early morning Divine Liturgy on Thursdays.
Presenters at the retreat were theologians and speakers from Albania, America, Greece, and Kenya, including Hiermonk Theologos, Fr. Luke and Faith Veronis, Nathan and Lynette Hoppe, Elekiah Kihali and Jorjo Papadopoulo. Student leaders led the small group discussions themselves.
Women of Korça Minister to the Needy
Every Monday and Thursday approximately one hundred needy people come to the Orthodox Cathedral of Korça for a midday meal. Other families in desperate need wait in their home for a weekly visit from one of the women. Some of the members visit the sick and despairing, trying to offer a word of encouragement and hope. And the residents of the local Old Age Home and the children’s orphanage know that they can expect a visit from this “group of love.”
These are only part of the activities of the Orthodox Women’s group of Korça, who call themselves “Dashuria” (Love), as a reminder for their ultimate responsibility – to radiate the love of Jesus Christ through-out the city.
The core group of these women came together long before communism fell in 1990. During the years of religious persecution, when any expression of faith was forbidden by state law, these women secretly encouraged one another to persevere in their faith. They occasionally invited a courageous priest to secretly come and hold the Divine Liturgy in one of their homes at two in the early morning.
When one priest taught them the importance of keeping vigil in prayer, these women organized themselves to pray without ceasing during the 40 day fasting periods of the Church. The women secretly set up a program where a different person would pray in two hour shifts throughout the day and night without break. This continued for the entire period of the fast. In this way they tried to fulfill St. Paul’s words when he commanded us “to pray without ceasing.”
The group continues such fervency in prayer during their weekly Friday night Paraclesis (Supplication) Service to the Virgin Mary, where they lift up the names of those in need. They also encourage the priests to hold frequent all night vigils in the Church.
Forty three presbyteras (priest’s wives) from different regions of Albania gathered together at the “Resurrection of Christ” Seminary in St. Vlash, Durres, for a three-day retreat on May 13-15,1998.
Over the past two years, several local and regional presvytera retreats have occurred. This was the first time, however, for all the presvyteras to come together in a national retreat. In February of this year, more than 100 priests and deacons of Albania gathered with His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios for such a national clergy meeting. Unfortunately, family and work restrictions did not allow all the presbyteras to attend the retreat in Durres.
The main goal of the retreat was to give the presbyteras an opportunity to meet one another in loving fellowship, and to exchange ideas and concerns regarding their respective roles.
The presbyteras participated in a variety of spiritual activities, including morning and evening worship, seven presentations, and a Divine Liturgy at St. Vlash Monastery. Each presvytera received a Bible as a gift from the National Sisterhood of Presbyteras from America. (Many had owned previously only a New Testament).
Sister Galini, a missionary nun from Kareas Monastery in Athens, acted as retreat master. Other presenters and organizers included presbyteras Renee Ritsi and Faith Veronis, along with Albanian co-workers.
The themes of the presentations and discussions were: The Role of the Priest and Presbytera in Church; The Importance of Daily Bible Reading; The Meaning of the Pentecostarion; An Explanation of the Sacrament of Marriage; Meaningful Participation in the Divine Liturgy; and Practical Suggestions for Personal Hygiene.
At the close of the retreat, the presbyteras honored with a gift presbytera Renee Ritsi for her six years of faithful love and service in Albania. Renee and her husband Fr. Martin, together with their two children, Stephanos and Nicole, are preparing to return to America after serving in the mission field for over 10 years.
Countless Orthodox Christians throughout Albania celebrated the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on Easter night, April 19. At midnight in Tirana, approximately 10,000 believers gathered in front of the Cathedral of the Annunciation to hear His Beatitude Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania cry out, “Christ is Risen” and read his Paschal message.
All over Albania, Church officials reported thousands of people flocking into the churches in every city and village during Holy Week. Events culminated in the services of Holy Friday, when processions with the epitaphio (the tomb of Christ) were made throughout the main boulevards of the cities, and Holy Saturday night, when people joyously observed the midnight Resurrection service.
On Holy Friday in Korça, processions from five different Orthodox churches met together in front of city hall, gathering thousands of the city’s faithful. In Durres, more than three thousand people followed the procession passing by the new Cathedral as well as city hall. And similar reports came from all other cities.
In His Paschal message, the Archbishop emphasized that the feast of Easter is a time to re-evaluate the things that fill up our lives, and fill them with the light and hope which comes from Christ’s victory over death. “When the Church lifts up the flag of the Resurrection, we discover that God’s unconditional and sacrificial love is for all people … Everyone who worships the Cross and glorifies the Resurrection has a responsibility at every moment and in every condition, to act justly with all people, whether they are powerful or weak, whether they are one of us or a foreigner … Those who don’t work for righteousness and justice, once again crucify Christ…. The Cross and Resurrection of Christ fully express the universal character of His righteousness … Christ is Risen!”
Paschal Greetings to Archbishop
On Easter day, Archbishop Anastasios opened the archdiocese to welcome visitors wishing to offer festive greetings to the Orthodox leader.
The President of Albania, Dr. Rexhep Mejdani, along with Prime Minister Fatos Nano and numerous other members of the government came and wished the archbishop and all the Orthodox believers of Albania a joyous and festive celebration of Easter. Dr. Sali Berisha, head of the democratic party, and numerous other heads of political parties also joined in wishing “Happy Easter and many years” to all.
Leaders of the main faith communities also came, including Hafiz Sabri Koçi from the Muslim community, Baba Reshat Bardhi from the Bektashi, and Arch-bishop Rok Mirdita from the Roman Catholic Church.
Diplomatic representatives included the Ambassadors of the United States, France, Romania, Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia.
Historical archive bulletin. Source: http://www.orthodoxalbania.org:80/nb7.htm — Wayback 20010306221815.