Celebration of Pascha in Berat

 

Like all the orthodox churches throughout the world, the grandeur and the excitement of Pascha and of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ became visible in the ancient town of Berat. After a week of passion, suffering and despair, all turned to joy and illumination by way of the light of the Resurrection. The evil one was defeated because Christ, our Lord triumphed. Death was destroyed because Christ trampled it down opening the gates of heaven and of immortality.
	At midnight on Holy Saturday, the service of Resurrection and the Divine Liturgy were simultaneously conducted in the two historical churches of Berat. The majority of the faithful were in the church of St. Spiridon located in the district of Gorica. The presence of hundreds of people confirmed once again that Christ’s Resurrection is the focal point of our faith and the greatest event in the Orthodox Church.
If one looked out at the walk across the street from the church, it would seem as if there was a river of fire just in front of you because of the sea of lighted candles.     The other church is the historical Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos located inside the Castle (where the Museum Onufri is also housed). His Grace Ignatios, the Metropolitan of Berat, Vlora, Kanina and all the area of Myzeqe, lead the service.
	After proclaiming the glorious news of the Resurrection, the message of Pascha was read to all the faithful in both churches by His Grace Ignatios.  The following text is an extract:
‘In order to follow the Resurrected Christ and to make Him ours, we need to have a new kind of seeing and a brave heart, and to be thirsty for immortality. No one can approach the unexpressed mystery of the glory of our Lord or see the unapproachable light with angry feelings, worldly thoughts and doubts, which hurt the spirit when they are deeply rooted in man’s heart.
	Then the Resurrection becomes only a feast in the world and not a powerful quake of each individual being. This is why St. Damaskinoi tells us, ‘With pure feelings we will see Christ in front of us to shine in the light of Resurrection and we will be sober enough to hear Him say ‘REJOICE’ at the moment when we begin singing the victory hymn.’ What should be done so the light of the Resurrection be truly experienced by the people of our era? To accomplish this goal we should all roll up our sleeves and make a programmed and detailed common effort. We must reveal how much closer we feel to Christ and to the gospel, and to what degree we have tasted the nectar of truth and Christian life. Thus we should be a lively testimony of the spirit of the Resurrection, which is the foundation of optimism and hope. This is a duty we should all have towards the church not only as a family, as a school or society but also as individuals.
My beloved brothers in Christ! The Resurrection of Christ will have a great impact on life in our world only if faith in God and in the truth of the Gospel is reborn into the Christians’ heart and life.  This must not be only a theory but as a practice and an experience. Then the fear of death will be extinguished and man will no more avoid the meaning of values, will behave as a hero and will become the creator of a better world - which would be the world of the joy of the Resurrected Christ. Christ is Risen!
At the end of this unforgettable evening, the faithful received Holy Communion. Similar emotions were felt the following morning as well as during the Vesper of Love, which was celebrated at St. Spiridon on Sunday. The exquisite details of this service were the censing of the people by their shepherd who was preceded by young children carrying lighted candles. The reading of the gospel of the day in eight foreign languages was also a highlight to the participants. After the service, there was a reception in the hall of the Metropolis for all visitors who wanted to extend their paschal greetings. Representatives of regional institutions and political parties, of the Roman-Catholic Church, of the Muslim community and many faithful who came to share their wishes. Christ is Risen!
Joan Qako       Translated by Juliana Pici     Edited by Melanie Linderman