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

Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania, His Beatitude Ioani said the morning mass.

The numerous believers who crowded the Cathedral received messages of hope on the day of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Archbishop Ioani said that, “Christmas is like a ray of hope, comfort and peace”.

Archbishop Ioani emphasized that now, more than ever, the world needs the light of Christ.

“The light of Christ is necessary because a life without the presence of God becomes miserable, turns into a life without love, without joy, without light: a life in darkness,” he said.

The Archbishop added that, “On this day we have to purify our hearts from all evil and fill them with love and humility towards all people, especially towards those who are in need – in poverty, in illness, in despair and in loneliness,” he concluded. /m.q/j.p/p.s./

Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Tirana-Durrës, Don Arjan Dodaj said the holy mass.

“We walk with joy and hope in the face of every human disappointment because for us the Saviour has been born. Jesus is our Lord, but also our brother. The readings of this night help us to understand that Christmas is not simply the promise of a commemoration of a past event. Today, many people experience darkness, as we hear and see in the war”, said Archbishop Arjan Dodaj.

Attending the mass were many Catholic believers, who awaited the birth of Jesus at midnight, amidst prayers.

Midnight masses were also held in other Catholic churches, spread across the country’s 6 dioceses. /k.s/j.p/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./

Led by Archbishop Arjan Dodaj, the mass at the cathedral resonated with prayers and hymns, echoing the profound significance of Easter in the hearts of believers.

Archbishop Dodaj extended warm wishes to all Catholic faithful, calling also on all state, media and social structures to help and give more hope to young people. Monsignor Dodaj also emphasized the spiritual significance of the occasion and the renewal of hope that Easter symbolizes.

A large number of Catholic believers attended the service.

After observing the annual “Way of Cross” procession, the Catholic faithful, carrying baskets containing Easter foods, head to church to have their food blessed on Holy Saturday.  The basket of Easter food also contains the Easter bread, a bottle of wine, cheese, fresh garlic that symbolize spring, as well as colored eggs that symbolize hope, new life, and Christ rising from His tomb.

The Easter Vigil starts with the large Saturday midnight mass at all Catholic churches and ends with Sunday’s traditional lunch. As Easter unfolds, believers gather with loved ones, reflecting on the profound message of redemption and embracing the promise of new beginnings.

/u.sh/

The main Easter mass took place on Saturday evening in the Catholic Cathedral in the Kosovo capital, Pristina. The service was held by Archbishop Monsignor Dodë Gjergji and the Apostolic Delegate of the Holy See for Kosovo, Monsignor Jean Marie Speich, who held meetings with Kosovo state officials to discuss relations between Kosovo and the Vatican.

Monsignor Dodë Gjergji extended message of peace and tolerance. He also spoke about the importance of the Easter holiday and the role of St. Mother Teresa who served for the good of humanity around the world.

“The light of Christ upon us and the fire of love that burns within us has made the world better, through the saints of the church and one of them has been Saint Mother Teresa, the daughter of our church, to whom we have dedicated this cathedral,” he said.

“We invite all people regardless of religious beliefs, ethnic or political responsibilities to do what is possible so that peace and tolerance reign among us,” he said.

/KosovaPress/

The traditional Christmas Mass, which kicked off at Saturday midnight, was attended by huge crowd of faithful inside and outside cathedral.

The mass was held by the metropolitan archbishop of Tirana-Durres, Monsignor Arjan Dodaj, who prayed and wished Albanian Catholic believers for more peace, love and grace.

“The message of Christmas makes us discern difference between darkness and the light,” he went on saying.

At the end of the Mass, faithful extended their best Christmas wishes for good health and prosperity to each other.

Christians around the world are celebrating Christmas, which marks the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem on December 25.

In Albania, Christmas celebration started after the fall of the Communist regime in the ‘90s and is one of the most popular festivals and celebrated with great merriment, with all Albania’s religious communities celebrating the occasion with almost equal fervor.

The coexistence among the religious communities is of the most notable characteristics of Albania and its people. The religious harmony is one of the most valuable features of the Albanian nation and religious tolerance is its most remarkable attribute.

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Minister of Health and Social Protection Ogerta Manastirliu gave the news while posting on Thursday evening the total vaccination figures, so far.

Manastirliu said that today were performed 8,401 coronavirus vaccinations.

The process of mass vaccination is continuing throughout the country with according to a combined schedule for citizens +57 years old and employees of critical services.

Vaccination is carried out according to all safety and quality parameters by trained teams of vaccinators throughout the country./m.m/p.s./

To carry out this process, 279 vaccination teams have been deployed throughout the country, out of 89.

Minister of Health, Arben Vitia announced yesterday that by the end of this month will be delivered the first batch of vaccines contracted with the company Pfizer.

Minister of Health stated that with the available doses and those that are expected to come, it is intended to vaccinate up to 500 thousand citizens within a month.

Minister Vitia has once again emphasized that the priority target is vaccination of 60 percent of citizens by the end of the year.

While talking about the categories that will be vaccinated, the Minister of Health said that in addition to people over 65 years and those with chronic diseases, with this expanded process will begin vaccination of teachers and members of the security.

He asked citizens to apply on the online platform to register for vaccination.

The vaccination process in Kosovo started at the end of March, since then until now over 100 thousand citizens have been vaccinated. So far, citizens have been immunized with doses donated by the COVAX alliance and the European Union. Meanwhile, the Government of Kosovo at the end of May has signed an agreement with the company Pfizer for the purchase of 1.2 million anti-COVID vaccines. / KosovaPress /p.s./

Minister of Health and Social Protection Ogerta Manastirliu gave the figure.

The process of mass vaccination is continuing throughout the country with a combined calendar, for citizens +60 years old and employees of critical services.

Vaccination is being carried out according to all safety and quality parameters by trained teams of vaccinators across the country./p.s./