Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durres, and All Albania, in his sermon at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of the Lord in Tirana, referred to the fact that some strange things are being heard about the Orthodox Church, which causes distress to many people.
“Those who want to obey the word of God, to live with forgiveness, with understanding, not always, but there are many times when they will be treated with hostility by some others,” he said in his sermon.
However, he stresses that “there are always ‘wicked men, charlatans, and deceivers’ who will want to belittle them, to curse them, to throw mud at them.”
He goes on to say that this should not come as much of a surprise because “Christians are realists” and therefore “we are not ignorant of reality, but these things do not change us, nor do they change our efforts to live ‘godly in Christ'”.
Thus, he exhorts the congregation: “Let us always maintain our peace, courage, and endurance to continue to live as He wants us to regardless of the presence of many other people who we know would want to undermine our course.”
Finally, he concludes by stressing: “Christ’s truth is above all, and He gives us the strength and endurance to testify to that truth as calmly, and as clearly as we can.”