The Celebration of Theophany – The Blessing of the Holy Water in Albania 2015
A celebration full of light of the Holy Water, despite the low temperatures -
Theophany, the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ in the baptism in the Jordan, is the feast of the renewal of all the creation. Therefore it was celebrated joyously and full of light by the Orthodox believers throughout our country, despite the very low temperatures.
In Tirana, the services were conducted for the third consecutive year at the new “Resurrection of Christ” Cathedral. They were led by Archbishop Anastasios and assisted by their Graces Bishop Nathanael, Bishop Asti and other clergy of the capital. In a church packed with thousands of believers, His Beatitude spoke about the meaning of the feast and then made the Blessing of the Water. The believers, throughout the day, took holy water from the tanks located in the environments outside the Cathedral, to bring this blessing to every corner of the capital.
In Durrës, after the liturgy and the service in the Church of the Apostle Paul and St. Asti, Bishop of Apollonia, His Grace Nicholas conducted the traditional throwing of the Cross in the Adriatic Sea, in the city port. The Cross was retrieved by the student of the “Resurrection of Christ” Theological Academy, Adion Gjoni.
In Elbasan, the Divine Liturgy in the Church of St. Nicholas was led by the Bishop of Kruja, His Grace Anthony. Numerous believers from across the city participated in the service. The Blessing of Water and throwing of the cross into the water took place at the AJEK pool complex near the church. The Cross was retrieved up by the young catechist of the Church, Armand Oga. In Korça, the Metropolitan, His Eminence John, led the services at the “Resurrection of Christ” Cathedral, assisted by the clergy of the city and then, surrounded by hundreds of believers, he threw the Cross into the waters of the fountain in front of the Cathedral. Subsequently, the Cross was thrown into the water by His Eminence John in Pogradec Lake, where some young people went into the water to catch the Cross despite the low temperatures.
In Berat, the Metropolitan, His Eminence Ignatius, led the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of St. Demetrios, followed by the traditional throwing of the Cross from the newly restored bridge of Gorica. Attending the service, in addition to thousands of citizens, were also deputy Prime Minister Mr. Niko Peleshi and members of the local authorities etc.
In Fier, the Church services were conducted in the Church of St. George. Then clerics and believers proceeded to the Fountain of the city. The Cross was thrown into the water by Father Ilia Bita. Despite the low temperatures, some young people went into the water to take the Cross and the winner was Athanas Davidhi.
In Vlora, the ceremony of the throwing of the Cross was held at the sea. The service began with a liturgy in the Church of St. Theodore led by Father Konstandin Prifti. Later the believers were redirected to the Cold Water area, where the throwing of the Cross in the sea was held, it was picked up by Vangjel Ndine. For many years in Selenica the Cross has been thrown into the waters of the river Vjosa. Also this year, after the service held in the Church of St. Athanasius, the believers went to the river, where the Cross was thrown by Father Spiro Bulika. The Cross was caught by Koçi Bombaj. Many residents in the city of Sarandaand surrounding villages took part in the services. The Divine Liturgy in the Church of St. Haralambos, which was led by the Metropolitan, His Eminence Demetrius, was followed by the procession on the road to the sea promenade, where His Eminence threw the Cross in the water. Some young people braved the freezing temperatures of the Ionian Sea, and went into the water. The Cross was caught by a 17-year-old boy, Savo Theodhori. Braving the freezing temperatures and the cold water of the river Drino in Gjirokastra, a 34-year-old men Llukan Todri caught the Cross thrown by Father Theodhor Nikolla.
The Holy Water is blessed in Tirana and other districts, video:
The Blessing of the Holy Water, the Christians celebrate Epiphany – Albanian Screen TV (click) The Day of the Holy Water – Vizion Plus (click) Theophany, the Blessing of the Holy Water, Throwing of the Cross, Korçë (click) THE ORTHODOX BELIEVERS CELEBRATE THE DAY OF THE “HOLY WATER” – TV Klan (CLICK)
Source: OCP
