By Fr. Ilias Makos
The Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos was celebrated with deep reverence across the Orthodox Church of Albania. In Tirana, Orthros and the Divine Liturgy were celebrated at the Church of the Annunciation, presided over by Bishop Anastasios of Kruja.
The historic Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos in Ardenica, whose origins date back to the era of the Despotate of Epirus, also marked the feast. The monastery, restored by the late Archbishop Anastasios, once again became the center of worship and celebration. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a procession of the icon of the Nativity of the Theotokos took place around the katholikon. Historical accounts note that the present katholikon is of a much later period than the original structure.
In Elbasan, Metropolitan Antonios celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. Athanasios, joining the faithful in prayer and thanksgiving.
In the homilies delivered throughout the celebrations, the faithful were reminded of the example of Joachim and Anna—righteous yet childless for many years—whose sorrow grew as the years passed and their hair turned white. Their story, it was emphasized, reveals the depth of faith and patience, and ultimately the joy of God’s blessing through the birth of the Theotokos.
