By Ilias Makos*
With steadfast belief in the ongoing intercession of the Virgin Mary following her Dormition and assumption into heaven, Orthodox Christians throughout Albania joyously observed the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos.
Metropolitan Nathaniel of Amantia led the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Tirana, where the faithful congregated to honor the Mother of God. Echoing the spirit of the occasion, Archbishop Anastasios’s words resonated: “In these challenging times, when worry and sadness prevail, today’s feast brings us beams of hope and optimism—messages of hope for the future of humanity and for each of us individually. As we show our love and respect for our Lady, the Virgin Mary, by lighting candles and offering praises, we must also strive to embody this hope and optimism. Her love, compassion, patience, and courage in accepting God’s will are unmatched.”
In Fier, Metropolitan Nicholas presided over the Divine Liturgy at the historic Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, situated within the archaeological site of Apollonia. The ancient remnants surrounding the church served as a poignant reminder of Apollonia’s past grandeur as a strategically significant city with a rich cultural legacy. The juxtaposition of the temple of Apollo and the church dedicated to the Virgin Mary symbolizes the shift from pagan idolatry to the worship of the living God, underscoring the spiritual journey from mere moral goodness to the reception of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Metropolitan John of Korçë, who led the service at the katholikon of the Monastery of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, highlighted in his sermon the importance of the feast. “In the vernacular, today’s feast is known as the ‘Summer Easter’ because the Virgin Mary overcame death, and this victory is not hers alone but belongs to all humanity, as she embodies the entire human experience,” he remarked. “If we desire to live in communion with God, death will no longer frighten us, but instead, it will be a meeting with the Divine. This is why we celebrate the Dormition of the Virgin Mary,” Metropolitan John concluded.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a procession of the icon of the Dormition encircled the church, symbolizing the unity of the faithful in their devotion.
Elsewhere in Albania, Metropolitan Antonios of Elbasan oversaw the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Nicholas, while the Feast of the Dormition was also commemorated at the Church of Panagia Vlacherna in Berat. The monastery of Saint Vlasis and the Metropolis of Argyrokastro (Gjirokastër) likewise paid tribute to the Virgin Mary, with the faithful gathering to honor the Theotokos in these sacred locations.
The celebrations across Albania were characterized by a profound sense of reverence and a collective aspiration for spiritual rejuvenation, as the Orthodox community united to venerate the Virgin Mary and seek her intercession.
*Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
anastas
Regenerate means to restore or renew something to a better or more improved state. It can refer to physical regeneration, such as the regrowth of tissue or cells, or it can refer to a more metaphorical sense of revitalizing or rejuvenating something.
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