Orthodox Christians venerated the Holy Cross throughout Albania

Throughout Albania, on the Sunday of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Christians flocked to churches, where they participated in the ceremony of the Veneration of the Holy Cross and received flowers as a blessing in the midst of their journey towards Easter.

At the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Tirana, led by Archbishop Ioannis of Albania, the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross was celebrated with the participation of a multitude of Orthodox. His Beatitude noted that every effort presupposes the lifting of a cross.

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At the Cathedral of Saint George in Fieri, Metropolitan Nikolaos of Apollonia and Fieri officiated, and towards the end of the Divine Liturgy, he officiated at the memorial service for the repose of the soul of Theophanes Noli (1882-1965).

Metropolitan Antonios of Elbasan presided over the Divine Liturgy in the church of Saint Athanasius, Metropolitan Astios of Veratius in the cathedral of Saint Demetrius of Veratius, and Metropolitan Korçë officiated in the cathedral of “Anastasi”.

Metropolitan Nathanael of Gjirokaster celebrated Mass at the “Anastasi” Cathedral in Gjirokaster. Speaking, he emphasized, among other things, that Christ, through the Cross, calls us to continue with enthusiasm and joy the effort of Lent, prayer, worship, almsgiving and love with every kind of sacrifice. Holding our Cross tighter and more firmly, we follow Christ’s footsteps alive.”

In the sermons in the parishes, it was pointed out that for our own soul, which is daily confronted with sin and death, christ shed his Blood.

That is why for Christians the Cross is a source of pride, reminding us that every moment we are given the opportunity to crucify, to deny everything that prevents us from taking off spiritually.

Whether it is external influences, such as injustices, slander, illnesses, or mental passions, such as selfishness and sinful desires.

And we Orthodox cannot help but realize that Christ with the cross knocks on the door of our hearts, so that we may desire him.

It is in our hands to lift up our fallen selves. It is in our hands to make the martyr's cross, which we bear in this world, a cross of relief, following Christ.