Speaking to reporters from the Orthodox Cathedral in Tirana, Berisha highlighted the significance of the figure of Jesus Christ.

He emphasized that the teachings of Christ have profoundly influenced the shaping of the morality of Western civilization.

“To Orthodox believers and all believers in God, I congratulate you on this Easter day, the holy day of the resurrection of Christ the King, the man, the God, who with his teachings has influenced more than anyone else on the morality of Western civilization. I wish that we celebrate the next Easter without this great evil that has befallen us during these years,” said Berisha. /r.e/p.s./

“Witnessing the miracle of light that warmed the hearts of believers last night, I wish to dear Albanian Orthodox believers a Happy Easter! May Divine light illuminate your path, filling your days with faith, hope, and abiding joy!”, the President wrote.

Orthodox Christians nationwide celebrated the Resurrection of Christ with a traditional midnight Divine Liturgy, the pinnacle of the church year.

Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, a powerful testament to the triumph of life over death and a beacon of hope and renewal. /r.e/p.s./

The photo is taken by photo-reporter A. Dhimitri.

This is a photo of Archbishop Anastasios of the Autocephalous Church of Albania who warmly welcomes guests in the courtyard of the Orthodox Church of the Holy Annunciation on Kavaja Street, marking the joyous Easter celebrations.

Archbishop Anastasios Yannoulatos, 4 November 1929 – 25 January 2025, was the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania and as such the primate and Head of the Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania.

/j.p/r.e/p.s./

As the faithful awaited, hymns filled the air until the light passed from Archbishop Joan’s candle, illuminating the congregation. The Resurrection teaches that having Christ in one’s heart means lacking nothing. Archbishop Joan further urged the faithful to become agents of peace in a world marred by hatred, greed, and selfishness.

As the clock struck midnight, the Archbishop joyously proclaimed ‘Christ is risen!’, and the cathedral immediately echoed with the triumphant hymn, ‘Christ is risen from the dead’. /a.f/p.s./

Photo-reporter: Floriam Abazaj

In this context, the National Museum Center of Berat presented a late 18th-century icon of the Mystical Supper, originating from the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Vokopolë village.

Housed in the National Iconographic Museum ‘Onufri’, this anonymous masterpiece bridges biblical narrative with contemporary, everyday life by depicting scenes around a round table filled with period-specific objects.

Each day leading up to the April 12 Orthodox Easter commemorates key moments in Holy Week.

Director of the National Center of Museums in Berat Miklor Pasku told ATA that April visitor projections are high, sustained by the upward trend observed in March and the first week of this month.

“March visitors grew 42% year-over-year, with promising momentum for the year ahead,” said Pasku.

Director of the Museum Center explained that high-volume online ticket purchases by travel agencies, leveraging early-bird pricing, strongly indicate a surge in upcoming visitor numbers.

Pasku said that effective promotion of Berat and its heritage institutions has driven a significant surge in both domestic and international visitors.

An influx of tourists is expected in Berat, driven by interest in its traditional Orthodox Easter festivities. /j.p/p.s./

The visitors to Korça on occasion of Easter will be able to have a taste of a special artistic experience, with the exhibition “The Code of Life” by Maria Shukulli, at the venues of the “Guri Madhi” Gallery.

This exhibition showcases for the first time to Albania and the Balkans a unique collection of Easter eggs, featuring traditional artisan techniques from Romania, Poland, Ukraine, and Albania.

“The Code of Life” showcases a meticulously curated collection, the result of over a year of dedicated effort. Korça was chosen purposefully; the city’s rich traditions, enchanting atmosphere and unique holiday customs make it the perfect place for such an experience.

This initiative aims to establish a yearly tradition, enriching the city’s artistic heritage./p.s./

Head of State made special visits to the headquarters of the Orthodox and Catholic communities, where he shared with the clergy of these religion faiths the messages that stem from Easter.

At the “Resurrection of Christ” church in Tirana, President Begaj was received by Head of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Joan Pelushi, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania. Begaj said: “It is hope, it is faith, it is joy; it is a sign that invites us to more love and more understanding among us. I wish all Christian believers and Orthodox believers much joy, prosperity, peace and hope in this blessed Easter!” – said President Begaj.

The Head of State conveyed heartfelt congratulations to His Beatitude Archbishop Joan for the first Easter service at the head of the Albanian Orthodox throne. While describing this day unifying occasion for Christian believers, the Head of State conveyed a special message to Albanian youth: “Since this is a day that unites all Christian believers, whether they are Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical believers, it is a day with a very strong message, which the Archbishop just mentioned, for the young people who have begun to attend masses and services. On this occasion, I would like to wish them a brighter future here, in our country.” President Begaj then paid a visit to “Saint Paul” Cathedral in Tirana, where he was received by His Excellency Arjan Dodaj, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Tirana-Durrës, of the Catholic Church of Albania. In his message, the Head of State emphasized the significance of performing good deeds so that, as he put it, the values ​​triumph over anti-values: “On this holy day, I wish all Catholic, Orthodox and Evangelical Christian believers: a blessed, peaceful, prosperous and happy Easter for every believer and for every Albanian family!

Let the light of this day be a sign of understanding and faith in what is most important in life. In our lives, let us do good and let good and values ​​triumph over anti-values.

I wish every Albanian, every believer, a happy Easter!” /a.f/p.s./

Berisha said that the DP has two points on top of its agenda if it comes to power.

“First, we will double the fund for the religious communities. Secondly, we will finally solve the property problem with absolute priority for religious institutions, but also for all Albanians”, he said.

The former prime minister also remembered and held in high esteem the former Archbishop Anastasios Yannoulatos for his extraordinary contribution. “

Speaking about the Vlach community, Berisha said that, “The Aromanians are a historical community, a history of the most excellent cooperation with the Albanians.”

/a.f/p.s./

The prime minister chose to convey his congratulatory message in the social media posting photo of a child holding a candle in his hand.

“Happy Easter! Many happy returns of the day!” Rama wrote.

Christian believers – Catholic, Orthodox and Evangelical – celebrate today the Easter feast, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. /a.f/p.s./

In Tirana, Catholic and Orthodox believers gathered in their respective cathedrals to receive the light of resurrection.

At the Orthodox Cathedral of the “Resurrection of Christ” in Tirana, the Easter Mass was led by the new Archbishop of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, His Beatitude Joan. In his address to believers, Archbishop Joan conveyed powerful spiritual messages and commemorated his predecessor, Archbishop Anastasios.

Referring to the challenges of the time, the Archbishop emphasized that only through faith in the Resurrection can people live in peace and solidarity with each other: “We are aware of the difficulties of life: injustices, wars, poverty, diseases and death that often lead man to despair. But, Christ is and remains our hope.”

After the mass, Orthodox believers took the light of resurrection in candles to take it to their homes, a tradition that symbolizes spiritual enlightenment and the resumption of life with faith.

Festive ceremonies were also held at the “St. Paul” Catholic Cathedral in Tirana, where the Easter mass was led by the Archbishop of Tirana-Durrës Arjan Dodaj. In his message, he emphasized the significance of peace and prayer for protection in a time of uncertainty and conflict.

“Christ brings up those who have fallen and protects those who are at war. He is our protection and hope,” Archbishop Dodaj said, among other things.

Religious ceremonies began on Saturday evening with the mass, and will continue throughout Sunday with family lunches and festive greetings across the country. /p.s./