His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios Awarded with the Title “ Honorary Citizen of Tirana”
On Friday December 23, 2005, at the Sheraton Hotel in the capital city of Tirana, the Municipality of the city organized an awards ceremony to bestow the title “Honorary Citizen of Tirana” to four religious leaders in Albania. In recognition for their extraordinary contribution towards religious harmony, the title was given to them for their efforts in restoring faith throughout the entire country and for overcoming with wisdom difficult political situations.
The title was given to the leader of the Muslim community, Mr. Haxhi Hafiz Sabri Koçi (after death); the Orthodox Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania, Prof. Dr. Anastasios Yannoulatos; the Catholic Archbishop Metropolitan of Tirana and Durrës, Mons. Rrok Mirdita; and to Mr. Baba Reshat Bardhi, leader of the Bektashi community.
The honorary title was given by the Mayor of Tirana, Mr. Edi Rama, who in his speech emphasized the role that these men have played in restoring religion and faith in the hearts of the people. In doing so, they have reflected love and tolerance to all their believers, necessary virtues for overcoming the destabilization potentially caused by religious differences, as has been seen in other countries.
After describing the biography of His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios, Mayor Rama said in his speech: “I noted that we forgot to write in his biography that in addition to the many languages he knows, His Beatitude also knows Albanian very well. But this is something I’m okay with, because it is written that His Beatitude is an Albanian who knows ancient Greek very well.”
The Mayor also mentioned the contribution that His Beatitude and the Orthodox Community as a whole made during the difficult times our country endured in 1997 and 1999, as well as His Beatitude’s well known participation in different conferences and seminars showing his deep knowledge of other religions.
Receiving his award, His Beatitude Anastasios said in Albanian that:
“I confess that I already feel as though I’m a young Albanian of 14 years old. I have felt as a citizen of Tirana since 1991 when I first came to this city. I have resided here for the last 15 years. I have lived all these years sharing in the difficulties, the problems, and the expectations of the people–their pains and their joys. And together with the other dear religious leaders we have tried to contribute to religious harmony and peaceful coexistence in the development of the life of the city by sharing the word and love of God through initiatives in the sectors of health, education, and social services. Extending my sincere congratulations to our very capable Mayor and his excellent staff for their wonderful achievements during the last years, I wish from the depth of my heart health, strength, vision and patience for them to fulfill their plans for our beloved city.
“May God help us all to continue with inspired initiatives our efforts to make Tirana a beautiful capital where religious harmony, creativity, solidarity, love and hope will reign.”
Present at the ceremony were the well known poet and writer Ditëro Agolli, the Counselor of the President, Alfred Moisiu, representatives of the Municipal Council, the Rector of the University of Tirana, representatives of four religious communities in Albania and the press.
Julia Pjetri
Translated by Fr. Andon Merdani, Deacon Hector Firoglanis
Arkiv historik i faqes së vjetër. Burimi: OldWebpage/Shqip/Shtypi & Publikimet/AAcitizen.htm