A New Nursery - School Opens in the City of Berat

On March 6th in the city of Berat, a new nursery - school from the Orthodox Church was opened. In the opening ceremony, His Eminence, Metropolitan of Berati, Ignati and other representatives from local government, intellectual and many believers were present.
     The most beautiful thing in the atmosphere were children, their faces were expressing joy, remembering us the words of Jesus how said: “Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to them”. (Luke: 18;16 )
     His Eminence Ignati, together with other clerics, did the service of the Blessing of the Water, meanwhile the ribbon cutting ceremony was held with the donator, Miss Emilia Athanasiadhi, of the new center.
        “Thank God that we were able to take part in this joyful day for our ancient city. This is to the credit of Archbishop Anastasios which has as an important issue in our Church the education of the young generation. Our holy diocese  is inspired from this  high intention,  and after many efforts, with God’s grace and with the blessing of our Archbishop and the help of some philanthropic people, the new nursery – school being opened, has fulfilled the desire of our citizens”, emphasized His Eminence Ignati.

 He also mentioned that this nursery - school will offer many good things for the families, for the society, for the state, for the Church and especially for all the children who will have the privilege to be seated at the tables of this primary institution for their future education.
      This nursery - school will be helping many families because the parents will have more free time to fulfill their daily families’ duties. When their children will come back home from the nursery - school, parents will rejoice from their high education and from their daily progress, from the healthy education that they will have and from the high knowledge that their dedicated teachers will have and will offer to them.
      The years of elementary school will be easier because of the absorption of knowledge during the formative years at this nursery-school.  The Church will be more beautified with the presence of these promissory angels. The state will strengthen from its worthy citizens for the direction of state’s work.
       Also the vice – chairman of the City Hall of Berat, appreciated the contribution of the Orthodox Church for the development of the civilization and the education of the city:  “This is a nursery -garden and I’m convinced that we will have young, healthy plants. Those children will be people that will love their families, their country and first of all they will love God. It is a love that we feel in this ceremony, that we are closer to God. We give thanks also to the Metropolitan for his cooperation in our city hall, in past years we have had successful collaborations and we believe that this year and also other years we will have the same.
 Meanwhile the leader of Berati sends his wishes to all the children that will take their basic education in this nursery – school and will grow healthy and smart.
      Our Church over these past years has built 14 nursery – schools in which about 800 children participate.  Children from poor families are in the center of our attention and the church is giving help continually to those families, also in the part of education.

 Isidor Koti

Translated by Ana Kërçyku and Christine Pappas