Throughout the Holy Metropolis of Gjirokastra Great and Holy Pascha was filled with the joy of the feast-day. The most important event in human history, the Resurrection of Christ, was celebrated with faith and love in all Orthodox communities of this area.

     Our parishes were filled with devotion during the services of Holy Week and especially the Service of the Resurrection. The clerics and the eldest believers of our Church saw many young people worshipping in the churches in an atmosphere filled with excitement that overflowed from the churches into the streets and squares and towns and villages. 

      In Gjirokastra, Bishop Dhimitri had a full program. On Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and the Sunday of Resurrection he celebrated in the Church of Archangels.  He also celebrated the Vespers of Agape, and together with the other clergy read the Gospel in the different languages of the world: Greek, Italian, French, English, etc.
 

      This year there was a visible presence of a great number of emigrants who live and work in Greece. This added to the atmosphere of joy for their families and communities. Their participation in the Service of Resurrection completed the joy of this day. The celebration was full of love and devotion and many believers participated in the mystery of Holy Communion; youth, children and older people. The atmosphere of the Resurrection filled their spirits and hearts everywhere: in Gjirokastra, Himara, Permet etc.

     Both the Albanian and Greek languages are traditionally spoken by the believers in this Diocese and the whole region was filled with the hymn: “Krishti u Ngjall se vdekurish...” and “Hristos anesti ek nekron…”. This prayer filled the spirit of believers with joy on this night, and in the days that followed. It is important to note that in this Metropolis there is a beautiful tradition that during Bright Week many believers visit the numerous churches and monasteries in  that area to make special prayers to Christ, the Theotokos, and the Saints of our Church.

   By Fr. Theodhori Nikolla

   Translated by Aleksia Dervishi

   Edited by Anastasia (Pamela) Barksdale