Metropolitan Nathaniel of Gjirokastër, as part of his series of courtesy visits following the recent assumption of his duties, paid an official visit to the Municipality of Dropull and met with Mayor Dimitrios Tolis.
The Metropolitan knows the region, its people, and their challenges exceptionally well. Before his election as Metropolitan of Gjirokastër — and earlier as Titular Metropolitan of Amantia serving as an auxiliary to the late Archbishop Anastasios in Tirana — he served for more than twenty years as a preacher in the Metropolis of Gjirokastër.
He ministered during particularly difficult years, from 1991 to 2012, when the Orthodox Church of Albania was striving to rise from the ashes and regain its footing after the ruthless persecution of faith under the Hoxha regime.
During their meeting, Metropolitan Nathaniel and Mayor Tolis discussed with genuine concern the needs of the local population, as well as potential joint initiatives aimed at supporting and highlighting the region.
The Metropolis of Gjirokastër continues to work toward strengthening in the people a steadfast faith that dispels doubt, for doubt — as is well known — brings spiritual dryness and distances the gentle breeze of God from our lives.
By Fr. Elias Makos
