Occasional Publication of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania
News from
Orthodoxy in Albania
Number 13 – July 20, 1999
Articles in this issue:
Kosovar Refugees Return Home
Special Postwar Appeal of Archbishop Anastasios
Youth Summer Camps Begin
National Youth Music Festival
Mobile Dental Clinic Active in Refugee Camps
Life in the refugee camps these days is quiet. Several weeks ago, people were tired with life there. Day monotonously passed by. Food was bland. Anxiety abounded as many people wondered what was the status of many family members – dead or alive. And too many people viewed the future with uncertainty.
Today things have changed. Hundreds of thousands of refugees have returned home despite warnings from NATO and camp officials that safety and stability are still uncertain. Most families staying in rented flats, or with host families, have already left or are in the process of leaving.
Two of the three largest refugee camps in Kukes have cleared out, consolidating into a transit camp, while others seem to be following the same path. Yet the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, in cooperation with the ecumenical cluster of church agencies called Action by Churches Together (ACT), continues to run its refugee camp capable of 1300 persons right outside of Tirana, and is ready to open two more camps in the surrounding villages of Kavaja. As most refugee camps close, the Orthodox Church and ACT are discussing with local officials about preparing their three camps as places for refugees unable to return at the present time. Specialists believe that a number of refugees will still be here by wintertime, and these camps could be winterized in order to house refugees into the coming year.
As refugees continue their trek home, some have stopped by the Church to express their gratitude for the help given to them and their families in their moment of desperation. Fatmir, a young father of twins, stopped by the Church Cathedral to say goodbye and thank the clergy for the help his family and their two newborns had received. As he was given a final food package and supplies for his babies, as well as support to pay for the transport home, he began crying. He said he would never forget what the Orthodox Church had done for him during this most difficult time in his life.
Another man, Ramadan, had taken his family back to Kosovo, and returned to Tirana to buy needed supplies hard to find in Kosovo. While in Tirana, he made it a point to stop by the Archdiocese and give an oil painting as a sign of his gratitude for all the Orthodox Church and ACT had done for him and his family. He said that through the concrete and loving actions of the Church, he still had hope in humanity despite the atrocities he had witnessed, and was even beginning to understood what true Christianity is all about.
In addition to the refugee camp program, the Orthodox Church and ACT have also been active in distributing hundreds of tons of food, as well as thousands of individual food and hygienic packages to families hosting refugees. Another part of the overall Church ministry has been offering new clothing and supply packages to more than 300 newborn babies and mothers in Tirana, as well as offering spiritual and moral support and hope to many hurting people.
Three representatives of the Orthodox Church of Albania have gone into Kosovo over the past weeks to see how the Church can continue offering support to victims of war. Ms. Penny Deligiannis and Mr. Artan Kosti traveled with a delegation from the World Council of Churches to evaluate the situation there. Mr. Nathan Hoppe twice traveled with refugee families to various cities and villages in the southern part of Kosovo, helping them relocate and assessing ways the Church could aid in the reconstruction of their homes.
Special Postwar Appeal of Archbishop Anastasios:
"Antidote to the Radioactivity of Hatred"
With sincerity and pain, by word and action, the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania has repeatedly expressed her full assistance to our Kosovo refugee brothers and sisters. At the same time, she has persistently proclaimed that the oil of religion must never be used to increase conflicts, but instead be used to heal wounds and calm hearts.
Now, after the cessation of armed conflict, all religions are called to work together for peace and reconciliation. Particular respect should be shown to every religious symbol and monument (be it a mosque, church, teke, or monastery). A basic presupposition for peace and justice, that all of us are seeking in our region, is first of all respect for whatever is consecrated to the God of peace and justice. When monuments of worship are destroyed, then whatever has been most precious and hopeful throughout the centuries is hurt.
After the return of democracy in Albania, all religious communities have tried to cultivate not only tolerance and respect for one another, but even something greater – a harmonious cooperation for the good of the entire society, both for those who believe in God as well as those who do not believe in Him.
In all the Balkans, and especially now in Kosovo, the different religious communities must draw from the deepest and most genuine layers of our teachings and tradition and become inspired workers of reconciliation and peace. We should take the initiative in building a free and just society which will respect the religious freedom and particularity of the other – one who does not cease to be God's creation and our brother and sister, no matter what he or she believes.
Blessed are those in this historic time who boldly and self-sacrifically offer sincere love, which is the only antidote against the unhesitating hatred that has been sown in our region and threatens it immediately, and in the long term, as dangerous radioactivity.
+Anastasios
Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and All Albania
24 June 1999
Youth Summer Camp Programs Begin
On July 5, 1999 the Orthodox Church began its first of seven different summer camp programs for more than 600 youth of all ages. The high school age boys camp opened first with approximately 90 students at the ancient monastery of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary on the scenic island of Svernec, Vlora. Following the first two-week camp, another 90 boys ages 18-25 will attend the second session.
The girls camp program begins on July 12, 1999, with 85 high school age girls attending the first session at the St. John Vladimir Monastery outside of Elbasan. A two-week second session will have approximately 90 university age girls participating in the camp, followed by a week-long session for 120 younger girls aged 12-15.
Two other camps will be held throughout the summer, one for high school boys in Korca and another sponsored by the Gjirokaster diocese.
All camp sessions include a lively spiritual program, with morning and evening liturgical services, Bible Study, Spiritual Presentations and Discussion, along with outreach to state institutions, catechism to local villages, arts and crafts, singing, theater, and sports. The main purpose of the camps is to help these youth experience a taste of an authentic Orthodox spiritual life in an loving and fun atmosphere.
The island of Svernec is an ideal place for a camp, being surrounded by a lagoon, only a 3 km walk to the sea, and covered with pine trees and greenery. The 15 th century church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, along with another smaller chapel and some newly renovated buildings are the only man-made structures on the island. During the communist area, this isolated island was used as a place of exile for political prisoners.
The monastery of St. John Vladimir is nestled in the mountains of Elbasan, surrounded by fruit trees and greenery. The grounds contain a 18 th century church building, and other newly renovated building, including dormitories, arts and craft room, and kitchen.
All funds for the renovation of both monasteries, as well as for the running of the entire camp program come through the effort of Archbishop Anastasios. The direction and realization of all the different camp programs has come mainly through his vision, concern and desire.
Two hundred and eleven youth from 18 cities and villages around Albania gathered together for the 2 nd annual National Orthodox Youth Music Festival, held on June 28-29, 1999 in Tirana. Youth groups dressed in traditional costumes from their particular region performed in song and dance for the festival. For the second year in a row, the youth group from Korça won first prize for music, with Pogradec coming in second, and Durres third. In the dance competition, the youth group from Selenice-Vlora took first place, with a traditional dance entitled "Dance of the Cross."
Each group was asked to perform two songs – one religious and one traditional song – with a six minute limit. A new addition to the festival this year was the inclusion of traditional dances. Six groups performed regional dances in conjunction with their traditional songs.
On the first night of competition all groups performed their songs before a panel of five judges. The eight best proceeded onto the second night, which included special musical performances by talented young musicians and singers from around the country, as well as the Tirana Byzantine Choir. Students from the Resurrection of Christ Theological Academy also performed a dramatic 20 minute presentation on the life of the great martyr St. Katerina.
Seven new youth groups participated in the festival this year. The formation of several of these groups was the result of a year-long catechism program done by seminarians and university students from Tirana to various areas throughout Albania.
During the months of May and June, the mobile dental clinic of the Orthodox church has been active in offering free dental care and check-ups to Kosovar refugees. The mobile clinic has served mainly at the Olympia Camp in Tirana and the camp in Ndroq, which is under the auspices of the ecumenical agency Action By Churches Together, in conjunction with the Orthodox Church of Albania. By the end of May more than 200 patients had received care.
Historical archive bulletin. Source: http://www.orthodoxalbania.org:80/nb13.htm — Wayback 20001001011256.