The Orthodox faithful of Albania celebrated the Dormition of the Theotokos with the conviction that, even after her Dormition and translation to heaven, the Panagia has not abandoned the world but continues, with the same maternal care, to intercede before her Only-Begotten Son.
On the feast day, Metropolitan Nikolaos of Fier celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the historic Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in the archaeological site of Apollonia. A procession around the church took place near the conclusion of the service.
Metropolitan Nathanael of Gjirokastër celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the festal Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Kryoneri. On the eve of the feast, he presided over Vespers in the villages of Kotsari and Dervitsani.
Metropolitan Anastasios of Korçë celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the katholikon of the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Boboshtica. Toward the conclusion of the service, the Icon of the Dormition was carried in procession around the church.
Metropolitan Antonios of Elbasan celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the city’s Church of Saint Nicholas.
The feast was also celebrated at the Church of Panagia Blacherna in the Kala neighbourhood of Berat, which houses a renowned depiction of the Dormition of the Theotokos by Nikolaos, son of the celebrated iconographer Onufri, dating from the 14th century.
The Dormition of the Theotokos was also commemorated at the Monastery of Saint Blaise.
Fr Ilias Makos
