A relic of St. Nicholas was brought by Roman Catholic clergy from Italy at the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Dimitrios in Berat, Albania.
The relic was solemnly received by Metropolitan Astios of Berat, in the presence of Metropolitan Anastasios of Korçë, with the participation of Orthodox clergy and many faithful from various regions of Albania, as its presence there was considered a special blessing.
As Metropolitan Astios explained, “the arrival of the miraculous relic of St. Nicholas from Italy to Albania continues a beautiful tradition of transferring holy relics so that the faithful may pay their respects to their saints.”
It should be noted that part of the relics of St. Nicholas are kept at the Roman Catholic Basilica of St. Nicholas in Bari, Italy.
The saint’s left arm is kept at the Roman Catholic Church of St. Nicholas in Rimini, Italy, while a fragment of the left arm is housed at the Metropolitan Church of Volos in Greece. The right hand of St. Nicholas is preserved at the Church of St. George the New in Bucharest.
Fragments of the saint’s holy relics are also preserved at the Monasteries of St. Nicholas in Ano Vatheia, Evia, and Faneromeni in Salamina, as well as at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, the Church of St. Nicholas in St. Petersburg, and the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg. One of the saint’s teeth is preserved at the Monastery of Agia Lavra in Kalavryta.
From the very first moment, many Orthodox faithful in Albania rushed to pay their respects to the relic.
Archbishop of Albania meets Roman Catholic Bishop of Brescia
Meanwhile, Archbishop Ioannis of Albania received at the Archbishopric in Tirana the Italian Roman Catholic Bishop of Brescia, Pierantonio Tremolada, together with his delegation.
They discussed various issues, and the Archbishop of Albania emphasized that “the clergyman bears great responsibility toward the people. Dedication, loving ministry, and a strong sense of responsibility must characterize the mission of clergy in the modern era, who are called to serve both the faithful and social peace.”
For his part, Pierantonio Tremolada spoke positively about the climate of harmony and interreligious cooperation in Albania, describing it as a valuable model of coexistence and mutual respect.
The meeting concluded with the common understanding that cooperation among Christians is a necessary condition for coexistence and joint action on issues concerning Christian society.
Fr. Ilias Makos
