Consecration of the Cathedral of the „Resurrection of Christ” in Gjirokastra, Albania

The Cathedral of the “Resurrection of Christ” in Gjirokastra, Albania, was consecrated Sunday, 7 August 2016, the official website of the Orthodox Church of Albania informs. The consecration service and the Divine Liturgy were celebrated by His Beatitude Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana, Dures and All Albania.

Together with His Beatitude, His Eminence Demetrius, Metropolitan of Gjirokastra, and His Eminence Nathaniel, Metropolitan of Amantias concelebrated.

Hundreds of faithful and many officials – among whom Zamira Rami, mayor of the city – attended the event.

His Beatitude Anastasios delivered a speech in which he underlined the development of the church life in this part of the world compared to his first visit to Gjirokastra city 25 years ago, when he was Patriarchal Exarch (on 10 August 1991).

His Beatitude showed that, in spite of the reconstruction process it had to pass through, the Orthodox Church of Albania implemented “original and daring” initiatives in the fields of education, culture, ecology, etc, which contributed to the development of the Albanian society. Through these initiatives, the Church reminded the faithful of its mission and traditions transmitting in this way the message of Christian love, hope and faith, the hierarch said.

His Beatitude Anastasios urged the faithful to have hope because it is not in vain for the Orthodox Christians, as it is based on the Risen Christ. His Beatitude has also urged those present to keep the faith alive and prove Christian love which must be manifested in the family, society, and everyday life.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the children from the school located near the place of worship performed a festive show as thanksgiving and gratitude for the entire activity of His Beatitude in the service of the Orthodox Church of Albania and of the faithful entrusted to his pastoral care.

At the same time, His Eminence Demetrius, Metropolitan of Gjirokastra, thanked the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Albania on behalf of the clergy and faithful of the city for this gift of the consecration of the cathedral.

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The construction of the Cathedral of the Resurrection of the Lord began in 2009. The most important stage of the construction of the church building was finished in 2011. One year later, the school in the precinct of the church ensemble was also built. At present, the interior of the place of worship is being organised. The altar screen was finished and the painting is being executed.

The place of worship is 21 metres high at the level of the main dome.

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