TIRANA, December 25 – Orthodox believers attended the Divine Liturgy for the Nativity of Christ at the “Resurrection of Christ” Orthodox Cathedral in Tirana on Thursday, December 25.

Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, Joani, led the service together with clergy of the archdiocese.

Believers filled the cathedral and received messages of hope on the day marking the birth of Jesus Christ.

In his address, Archbishop Joani said the Christmas feast did not concern the birth of a teacher, prophet, or lawgiver. Instead, he explained that God entered history and became human while remaining fully divine.

He added that Christ’s presence healed, restored, and fulfilled human nature. He underlined that no teacher or prophet could accomplish this role.

Meanwhile, the archbishop said Christmas came as a ray of hope, consolation, and peace for every person seeking inner peace and truth.

At the same time, he stressed that the world needed the light of Christ more than ever.

He said Christians carried the responsibility to share this light with others. He explained that light grew only when people shared it, while isolation caused it to fade.

Later, Archbishop Joani said a life without God’s presence became empty and dark. He noted that only Christ’s presence could illuminate human hearts and souls.

In conclusion, he called on believers to celebrate the Nativity spiritually. He encouraged them to cleanse their hearts from wrongdoing and fill them with love and humility, especially toward people in need, poverty, illness, despair, and loneliness.

/a.p./