Occasional Publication of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania
News from
Orthodoxy in Albania
Number 12 – June 8, 1999
Articles in this issue:
Theological Academy Students Aid Kosovar Refugees
Metropolitan John Speaks at American Commencement
Student Art Exhibit "Pascha 99"
Improving Albania's Infrastructure
Theological Academy Graduates 6th Class
Care for Post-Byzantine Monuments
The students and entire community of the Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Theological Academy, which is under the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, have been active over the past three months in offering material and spiritual comfort to many Kosovar refugees in the surrounding areas of Tirana and Durres. Twice students have prepared and delivered 25 kg packages of food, detergents and hygienic supplies for more than 150 Kosovar families (approximately 1700 persons) living in the surrounding village of the Academy. Students also delivered 800 foam mattresses, blankets, baby food, and clothing.
His Beatitude Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania, has emphasized to the student body the importance of participating in the overall outreach to the more than 450,000 Kosovar refugees who have flooded into Albania.
From the first days of the crisis, students from the Academy volunteered at the "Asllan Rusi" Sports Palace, which was the initial registration point for incoming refugees into Tirana, as well as at Tirana's first refugee camp. Over the following weeks, the students volunteered at the refugee camp in Ndroq, which Action by Churches Together (ACT) and the Orthodox Church's Diaconia Agapes office established. Students set up approximately 150 tents at the camp in Ndroq, as well as helped in the early organization and distribution of clothing and supplies.
Several times each week, the 52 students of the Academy visited the camp and interacted with the refugees, sharing their love in the midst of many stories of pain and suffering. Initially, some students expressed reserve to work among the Kosovars, fearing that the refugees would have ill feelings toward Orthodox Christians because of their experiences in Kosova. But very quickly many of the students discovered the bond of love which unites all human beings, regardless of race, religion or ethnic labels. Many new bonds of friendship were established.
For each of the 200 tents in the camp, the students of the seminary, along with Orthodox students from Tirana University, purchased and distributed footballs and volleyballs, as well as crochet needles and threads, to help the refugees pass their days in some form of recreation.
Metropolitan John Speaks at Holy Cross, St. Vladimir Commencement
His Eminence John, Metropolitan of Korça, gave the keynote addresses at the May commencements for the two main Orthodox theological schools in America – Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA and St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary in New York. Metropolitan John is a 1993 graduate of Holy Cross, having received both his Masters of Divinity and Theology there. He also maintains a close relationship with St. Vladimir’s, which is under the same archdiocese as the Albanian American Archdiocese.
During his first official hierarchical visit to America, Metropolitan John met with His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, His Beatitude Theodosius, Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church of America, the Roman Catholic Cardinal Law of Boston, and other church and civic leaders.
His Eminence emphasized three main points in his address. First, that students must never forget the great virtue of gratitude, which is imperative for one’s spiritual journey in life. He warned, "The culture of complaining has gripped our society today. This is a destructive culture that erodes true vision, and creates a world and state of being where one cannot feel the presence of God – a presence that brings thankfulness."
Second, each student has the great responsibility and privilege to be active witnesses of the faith. "Missionary work is something that should be at the heart of every believer, and it begins with the powerful witness we give in our daily lives."
Third, graduates of theological institutions must remember their call to be "prophets" of the Almighty God. Remember to proclaim and live the words of the Old Testament prophets, "Thus says the Lord."
Student Art Exhibition – "Pascha 99"
On April 28, 1999, the Art Exhibition "Pascha 99" was opened in the gallery of the Institute of Art. This exhibition opened with work from young artists expressing their views on the theme of Pascha (Easter). The Student Society of Visual Art worked together with the Orthodox Youth Group "Sons of Light", and under the financial sponsorship of Archbishop Anastasios, in making this project a success. This was the first time ever that the Institute organized an exhibition surrounding a religious theme.
All forms of art were presented at the exhibition – from art inspired by Byzantine iconography up to present day modern art, including wood work, graphic design, ceramic projects, oil paintings, and photography. Forty-five artists took part, showing 55 different pieces of work.
Improving Albania’s Infrastructure
The Orthodox Church continued its overall effort to help build up the infrastructure of Albania. During a visit to the zone of Dropuli in May, Archbishop Anastastios blessed the beginning of a $80,000 (USD) Church water construction project which will help bring clean water into seven surrounding villages. The Archbishop also visited the Frashtani Primary School, which was destroyed by a fire, and committed ongoing aid of more than $7,500 to the renovation of this educational institution.
On this same trip, His Beatitude blessed the foundation stone for a new professional girl’s school in Derviciani, as well as the new dormitory building for the Holy Cross Boy’s High School in Gjirokaster.
Meanwhile in Tirana, Dr. Mustafa Xhani, the director of the Central University Hospital, recently sent a note of gratitude to Archbishop Anastasios and the Orthodox Church of Albania for the aid and interest the Church has shown the hospital over the past year and a half. During this period, more than $15,000 (USD) of aid has been given to the specific needs of the hospital. Xhani noted that, "We have a very good relationship up until now, and we hope to continue our work together in the future."
In another area of outreach, the Archbishop himself donated five new Pentium II computers, along with a laser printer, to the Institute of Science in Tirana several months ago, fulfilling a request they made to the Church.
Theological Academy Graduates 6 th Class
The Resurrection of Christ Theological Academy graduated its sixth class on June 5, 1999 with 15 students finishing the three year school. Two graduates from this class will be ordained as deacons this summer. The remaining students will become catechists in cities and villages throughout Albania, or work within different church offices and ministries. From the first and second year classes, 37 male and female students advanced to the following year.
Archbishop Anastasios, the president of the Academy, reminded the graduating students in a farewell address what the goal of true theological studies is. He urged each student to make service and sacrifice a central mark of their ministry in the Church.
The Theological Academy is a center of academic study and spiritual growth. Each day, five hours of class instruction are combined with morning and evening liturgical services, spiritual talks and opportunities for practical outreach. Students were involved in catechism to four villages in the surrounded area of the Academy, as well as catechism in their home regions. The third year pastoral care class regularly visited orphanages, handicapped schools, hospitals, and other state institutions
This year six recent Albanian graduates from the theological schools in Greece and Romania began offering lessons as assistant teachers, along with the regular faculty and several guest lecturers from around the world.
Care for Post-Byzantine Monuments in Albania
On March 31, 1999, in the National Museum of History, the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania sponsored a book showing of the noted architect and restorer Dr. Pirro Thomo’s newest release, "Post-Byzantine Churches in Southern Albania."
Archbishop Anastasios took part in the official presentation, together with Dr. Professor Ylli Popa, the Head of the Academy of Science, Mr. Artan Shkreli, the director of the National Institute of Monuments, Dr. Aleksander Meksi, the former Prime Minister and a noted historian in architecture, and Dr. Professor Ali Muka, who represented Dr. Pirro Thomo. Numerous other professors and academicians, along with the ambassadors of Great Britain, Greece, and Romania attended the showing.
His Beatitude opened the presentation by emphasizing the interest and important role the Orthodox Church has played in the restoration of cultural monuments throughout Albania. Over the past eight years, the Church has invested more than $2.4 million (USD) in the restoration of such national cultural monuments. In addition to restoring more than 65 churches, many of which are post-Byzantine, the Church has build 72 new churches, and repaired 120 other churches.
As another sign of interest in restoration work, the Church published the present scientific study as an effort to fill a vacuum in this area of research. Archbishop Anastasios noted in his preface, "We must underscore our obligation and urgent need to promote and protect such valuable historical and cultural monuments. Today, the great enemies are indifference, time, and harsh weather. Scathed as they have been, these monuments nonetheless reveal the fervent faith, the artistic power, and the spiritual energy of their creators. Despite having to cope with a variety of enormous difficulties, the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania will continue to preserve these eloquent witnesses to the uninterrupted presence of Orthodox Christians in this country. The restoration of these sacred monuments is a debt of honor to the cultural heritage of Europe, and our duty to offer the younger and upcoming generations places of spiritual renewal and artistic inspiration."
Historical archive bulletin. Source: http://www.orthodoxalbania.org:80/nb12.htm — Wayback 20010306221231.