Christ is born, Glorify Him! This is the theme that inspires orthodox faithful during the celebration of Christmas in the city of Durrës. The orthodox cathedral there is named after “Apostle Paul and St. Asti”, and among those present this year, was the newly chosen church council, having been selected among the faithful of the Cathedral.

     On December 23rd, during the Divine Liturgy at the cathedral in Durrës, the faithful prayed to God for help for the living and for the souls of the departed. Through their contributions they continue to support the great gift that Archbishop Anastasios, of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania, gave to the community of the faithful in Durrës. What gift? The cathedral of the “Apostle Paul and St. Asti”! Christmas celebrations continued through December 24th, when the children and the youth of the church in Durrës spread the news of Christ’s birth to the houses of the faithful. They sang traditional songs that were enjoyed by everyone. It was a great joy for the families to wait for the children to arrive at their door. Conversely, the children and youth who spread the Word of Christ’s birth, were most enthusiastic as well.

      Very early on the same morning, another tradition for the last fifteen years was enacted. A car equipped with a loudspeaker, loaned by two members of our congregation, was driven around the city streets to announce the news of the birth of Christ. They played traditional music and chanted carols of which the most famous is “Good morning ladies and gentlemen”.... Another feature of the day was the presence of the faithful in church well after the end of the Divine Liturgy. With their faith, prayers, the lighting of candles, and the veneration of icons, they asked God to provide what no one else can, spiritual peace and salvation.

The afternoon brought visits from the local authorities, representatives of political parties, non-governmental organizations, leaders of several public institutions and benefactors whose contributions have helped to sustain the church.

     Christmas was celebrated throughout Albania with the blessing of His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios. It was organized by the Children’s Central Office and started at the first of December. A nice Christmas atmosphere was created among the children in the churches from various cities and villages.

     One of the programs presented was a play with puppets called “The Christmas Box”. It featured Christian songs, entertainment, and games and ended with refreshments for all. It was organized with the cooperation of the coordinators of the Children’s National Office of the Archiepiscopate, the catechists of the Central Office of Catechism and the students of the Theological Academy “Resurrection of Christ” at St. Vlash.

    The play was performed for over eight hundred children throughout Albania, including Berati, Lushnja, Durrës, and St. Vlash and for the children of the Home of Hope at the Monastery of St. Vlash. The play was also performed in six children centers in Tirana at Students’ city, Bathore, Spirit of Love, Kinostudio, the Educational and Spiritual Center Tabor, and in the Annunciation Cathedral. The children of Shkodra and of the village Vrake, of Elbasan and its villages: St. Joan Vladimir, Fikas, Kuqan, Shelcan, of the town of Gramshi, Kavaja and other villages like St. Peter and Topojë in Fieri were also treated to the puppet show.

     The catechist group of each diocese participated in a handicraft of painting the Nativity icon that was illustrated in the book entitled “The Most Grandiose Birthday”. The book was given as a present to the children and there were refreshments served, as well.

This year about 45 children, selected by the coordinators of the Children Central Office, sang the carols in about 30 family homes in Tirana. They chanted also at the beautiful Archiepiscopate, where they were blessed to meet His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios who welcomed them with great joy. He asked the children to come to the church and to take part in the Divine Liturgy and celebrate Christmas together. When all was done, the Archbishop delivered presents to all the children. He also asked the children how they were going to spend the money gathered while singing. They answered that their money would be used to help a paralyzed woman who had had a car accident, and was disabled. During the feast days this money was sent to the woman as a Christmas gift.

     Children sang carols in other places as well. They went to the House of Mother Tereza’s sisters who look after abandoned people. The carols brought much joy to those who have felt forgotten by the rest of society.

The cheerful voices of the children were heard on the radio at “Resurrection”, Fm 88.5 MHz. Through their songs they announced the coming of Christmas to those families they could not reach any other way. Through the air waves the children delivered their good wishes.

“Kolendrat, kolendrat sot, gëzuar për shumë mot, zotërinj dhe zonja. Neve vijmë t’ju urojmë si edhe t’ju lajmërojmë zotërinj dhe zonja.” These were the verses of an Albanian carol sung on Christmas Eve which was heard on most of the streets in Tirana during December 23 and 24.

     The older youth, with the manger of baby Jesus in their hands, headed towards the Archiepiscopate. This was the last stop for their caroling. His Beatitude welcomed everyone and reminded them of the true meaning of the feast which is to increase our love for God and one another. Like the kings who offered three symbolic and significant gifts to the Christ child, the Archbishop gave them three different presents. A nativity icon, which would serve to remind them of the joyful and hope-giving news delivered by the angels, a small orthodox calendar and the New Testament which is the most valuable treasure of all. The Archbishop relayed that “Each time I read the Scriptures, I find a new message which helps me in my spiritual life. It is the safest director to illuminate our path to heaven.”

After they expressed their gratitude and thanked His Beatitude, the youth left with a new thought in their mind, “To live in accordance with the Commandments that God gives us in the Holy Scriptures so our soul will celebrate Christmas every day.”

The festive atmosphere reached its peak on Christmas, with the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Beatitude Anastasios, who gave an inspiring message to the congregation.

Thousands of faithful from the city continued to come to the church during the day. The same joyous atmosphere was created at the Archiepiscopate where there was a reception for the representatives from other religious communities, state authorities, famous intellectuals, and other faithful. “This was a day not only of joy, but also of love and hope”, said the Archbishop during the visit of the President of Albania, Bamir Topi. He added, “We acknowledge the difficulties that you encounter for the fulfillment of your mission, so we heartily wish you the wisdom of God to help you, with strength and happiness so that all your worthy challenges will be fulfilled and help our beloved country to become first in Europe and the Balcans”.

     President Topi thanked Archbishop Anastasios for the great role he has played in maintaining religious coexistence in the country, “Your Beatitude, we greatly appreciate your role. Your words exist not only in the heart of the faithful but also of the politicians. I believe the most important message should be for the politicians themselves, who must talk with each other and be concerned mostly about the common people . . . rather than themselves”. The leader of Parliament, Jozefina Topalli, came to wish the Archbishop well, and representatives of the opposition party, also came with good wishes.

The Prime Minister, Sali Berisha who had just come from his visit to Korça paid a visit to his Beatitude during the noon hours. He wished, “...the orthodox faithful, Christians and all Albanian faithful... the birth of Christ is the biggest event of all humanity and for this He is glorified and respected by all religions.” After extending his appreciation for the visit of the Prime Minister, His Beatitude emphasized, “Religion has always been important to mankind . . . and Christmas shows that God came not only to visit us, but to live within us. This is the biggest blessing, Christ is with us and all attempts of love start with Him”.

Later that day the orthodox youth gathered together for dinner in the Youth Center “Bethlehem” wishing one another peace and happiness, and sharing their experiences with each other during this blessed season.

     By: Nestilda Dangaj, Thoma Çomëni, Joan Meni, Spiro Topanxha,

     Marina Marini, Gabriela Bezhani and Julia Pjetri.

     Translated by Juljana Pici

     Edited by Melanie Linderman