The Youth Office of the Holy Metropolis of Kitros, Katerini and Platamonas organized an educational and pilgrimage trip to Albania and Northern Epirus from August 17–21. The delegation was led by Metropolitan Georgios, accompanied by three priests and one deacon, with 35 young people from the Metropolis’ Youth Office and university fellowships.
Day 1 began with Sunday Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of Panagia Mikrokoastro, followed by visits to Korçë (Korytsa), Pogradec, and Tirana.
Day 2 focused on Tirana: a guided tour of the Cathedral of the Resurrection by Metropolitan Nathaniel of Amantia, a city walk, and an introduction to the pastoral and administrative structures housed at the cathedral complex. The group offered a Trisagion at the tomb of the late Archbishop Anastasios, then met Archbishop Ioannis of Tirana and All Albania, who addressed the youth with a moving spiritual message. The day concluded with a fellowship evening—an exchange between the visitors from Pieria and members of Tirana’s Orthodox Youth, featuring a cultural program and shared dinner.
On Day 3, the group visited the Monastery of St. Vlasios, home to an Orthodox theological school and other church institutions. A highlight was the pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Cosmas of Aetolia at his monastery, where the youth spent time in prayer ahead of the saint’s feast. They also served a Trisagion at the Monastery of St. Nicholas in Këlcyra (Kleisoura), honoring the memory of thousands of unidentified Greek soldiers who fell heroically in World War II. In the afternoon they visited the Greek town of Derviçan, attended a festal Vespers at the Church of the Dormition, and joined a community reception and open dialogue with local youth.
Day 4 featured a Hierarchical Concelebration at the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Gjirokastër, presided by Metropolitan Georgios and Metropolitan Nikolaos of Fier, Locum Tenens of the Metropolis of Gjirokastër, with many clergy concelebrating and young chanters and altar servers from Pieria participating. A Trisagion was offered for the late Metropolitan Dimitrios of Gjirokastër.
The final day took the group to Vouliarates, where a Trisagion was served at the village Military Cemetery for 300 Greek soldiers. They then visited the community cemetery to pray at the grave of Konstantinos Katsifas, concluding with another Trisagion and “Memory eternal.” The program ended with a tour of Greek-speaking villages of Northern Epirus, rounding out a journey that combined worship, remembrance, cultural encounter, and living ties with the Church in Albania.
