The proclamation “Krishti u Ngjall” (Christ is Risen) echoed from one end of Albania to the other, with the faithful responding with one voice: “Vërtet u Ngjall” (Truly He is Risen). Churches were filled with large crowds of worshippers.
Orthodox Christians in Albania—whose numbers continue to grow—deeply experienced that God inaugurates a new era for humanity, seeking to abolish the power of death and unite humankind with the source of life. For this reason, He Himself confronts death and triumphs over it.
At the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Tirana, the service was presided over by Archbishop Ioannis of Albania.
During the Resurrection service, held in the courtyard of the cathedral, the hymn “Christ is risen from the dead…” was proclaimed by the Archbishop before countless faithful gathered there.
In his Paschal message, which emphasized peace, Archbishop Ioannis noted among other things:
“Let us respond to the call ‘Peace be with you’ with our entire life. Let us become peacemakers in a world torn apart by hatred, greed, and selfishness. But in order to become peacemakers, we must first have peace within ourselves. ‘Acquire peace in your heart,’ says Saint Seraphim of Sarov, ‘and thousands around you will be saved.’ For there is no peace where evil prevails, but only where God is present. Let us find this peace of God in our hearts and then spread it everywhere, together with the joyful message that Christ is Risen and has granted the world life and eternal peace.”
Large numbers of Orthodox faithful also attended the Paschal services throughout the night in the Metropolises of Korçë, Gjirokastër, Berat, Fier, and Elbasan.
Metropolitan Nikolaos of Fier presided over the Resurrection service and celebrated the Paschal Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Saint George in Fier. Metropolitan Antonios of Elbasan presided at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Elbasan; Metropolitan Astios of Berat at the Cathedral of Saint Demetrios in Berat; Metropolitan Nathanael of Gjirokastër at the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Gjirokastër; and Metropolitan Anastasios of Korçë at the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Korçë.
Other religious leaders in Albania, as well as political and local authorities, also extended their Paschal greetings to the Orthodox faithful.
Fr. Ilias Makos
