By Fr. Elias Makos
With deep devotion and the heartfelt participation of young people, the Supplicatory Canons to the Virgin Mary are being fervently observed in the Church of Albania. During these sacred days, whether the faithful find themselves laboring in the heat of work, enjoying the tranquility of the beach, or seeking the refreshing mountain breeze, they inevitably turn their steps toward the spiritual harbors of peace—the holy churches.
There, under the protective and outstretched hands of our Panagia, we find solace and beg her: “Hasten, O Theotokos, to deliver us who earnestly call upon you.” The Albanian Orthodox faithful hold a special reverence for the Virgin Mary, continually seeking her intercession with unwavering trust.
We know her well! Our familiarity with her dates back to our infancy, when her sweet image captivated us even more than the silver icons that adorned our homes. It is no exaggeration to say that alongside our first words for our earthly mother, our lips also began to utter her heavenly name: the Virgin Mary.
If every heart allows these sacred hymns to resonate within, it is impossible not to kneel before her radiant image with profound gratitude. Life is a race, an arena where we all must struggle and persevere, often under challenging conditions. Sorrows and pains are an inevitable part of this world. The Virgin Mary herself faced similar trials, and what did she do? What we, too, are called to do: She practiced patience, trusting in God.
The Theotokos demonstrated that patience is not passive resignation, but the fruit of living faith. Those who truly embrace Christian truth connect their trials to the “sufferings” of Christ. Our Lady, as we feel so deeply during the Supplicatory Canons, is our mediator, our advocate before God. She is also near us, surrounding us with her comforting presence. Let us earnestly and faithfully seek her intercession.
The Virgin Mary not only prays for her children but also visits them in their every need. This is why she is venerated in the icon known as “Episkepsis” (the Visitation). Let us call upon her to guide us in our spiritual struggles and lead us on the path to a truly fulfilling and successful life.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
