By Fr. Elias Makos
With a deep sense of devotion and the enthusiastic participation of young people, the Supplicatory Canons to the Virgin Mary are being faithfully observed in the churches of Albania. During these sacred days, whether the faithful are busy working in the heat, enjoying the peacefulness of the beach, or seeking the refreshing mountain air, they always turn their hearts towards the spiritual havens of peace—the holy churches.
There, under the protective and loving gaze of our Panagia, we find comfort and implore her: “Hasten, O Theotokos, to deliver us who call upon you with sincerity.” The Albanian Orthodox community holds a special reverence for the Virgin Mary, constantly seeking her intercession with unwavering faith.
We are familiar with her! Our connection with her goes back to our childhood, when her gentle image captured our hearts more than the silver icons that adorned our homes. It is not an exaggeration to say that alongside our first words for our earthly mothers, we also began to utter the name of our heavenly mother: the Virgin Mary.
As these sacred hymns resound in every heart, it is impossible not to kneel before her luminous image with deep gratitude. Life is a journey, a battleground where we all must strive and endure, often facing difficult circumstances. Sufferings and sorrows are an inevitable part of this earthly existence. The Virgin Mary herself experienced similar trials, and what did she do? What we are also called to do: She practiced patience and placed her trust in God.
The Theotokos showed us that patience is not passive resignation, but the result of a living faith. Those who truly embrace the teachings of Christianity link their struggles to the “sufferings” of Christ. Our Lady, as we feel so profoundly during the Supplicatory Canons, is our mediator, our advocate before God. She is also present with us, enveloping us in her soothing presence. Let us earnestly and faithfully seek her intercession.
The Virgin Mary not only intercedes for her children but also comes to them in their times of need. This is why she is honored in the icon known as the “Episkepsis” (the Visitation). Let us call upon her to guide us in our spiritual battles and lead us on the path to a truly meaningful and successful life.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
