TIRANA – The Catholic Easter Mass has found the Cathedral of St. Paul in Albania’s Capital Tirana without believers this year as Catholic believers and other citizens followed the rituals in their homes due to the ban because of COVID-19 virus.
This exceptional event prompted Archbishop Monsignor George Frendo, who led the Holy Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul, to confess the deep pain he was feeling as he did not have a large host of believers like every year.
“All of us have experienced labor pains these weeks. Even I at this moment, when I do not have a large host of believers as we have every year. But Jesus Christ, who today came out alive and glorious from the grave after the hardships of the crucifixion, inspires and fills us with hope. We are making a lot of sacrifices,” said the Archbishop.
Monsignor George Frendo conveyed some other messages in his speech which was characterized by his emotional feelings on the difficult testing situation that Albania is going through at these turbulent times of the deadly pandemic which has gripped almost the entire world.
The Archbishop had a special message to Albanians who are in search of finding ways and means to leave their country.
“Whoever dreams of leaving Albania to go to a richer country thinks he is brave. But the one who decides to stay in Albania by dreaming of a better Albania is a hero,” said Monsignor Frendo.
Everyone’s prayer was for a better future condensed In the message: “Christ Is Risen!” Without believers in the hall because of the pandemic, the Catholic Easter Mass was also celebrated in other cities of Albania.
In the city of Shkodra, northern Albania, which is the stronghold of Catholic believers, believers lit candles at midnight waiting for the resurrection of Christ in yards and balconies of their houses, and all the main rituals were followed virtually. The mass was held at the ‘St. Stephan’ Cathedral by the Archbisho of Shkodra-Pult, Father Angelo Massafra.
“Christ arose and we will overcome soon the pandemic,” Father Massafra told the believers in his message.
In Lezha, another northern town, many citizens also lit candles waiting for the resurrection of Christ on the balconies of their homes.
In the Christian calendar, Easter is the most important holiday which symbolizes the resurrection of Christ. The symbol of this holiday is the red egg which symbolizes the life that is closed and dormant inside its shell. While the red color of the eggs symbolizes sacrifice./argumentum.al
