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25th anniversary of the death of the Bishop of Apollonia/ Archbishop Joan celebrates mass in Vlora

2025-08-10 16:41:00, Aktualitet CNA

25th anniversary of the death of the Bishop of Apollonia/ Archbishop Joan

The city of Vlora and the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania commemorated today the 25th anniversary of the passing of the Bishop of Apollonia, His Grace Kozma Qirio, a prominent spiritual figure and hero of the Orthodox faith in its most difficult times during the period of the atheist dictatorship, born in the village of Bestrovë, Vlora.

The commemorative activities in honor of this great personality began with the Morning Services, Holy Mass and the service of the Epiphany led by the Archbishop of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, His Beatitude Ioannis, in conjunction with the Metropolitan of Fier, His Grace Nikolla, the Metropolitan of Berat, His Grace Astin and the Bishop of Kruja, His Grace Anastas.

Archbishop Joan in his speech mentioned the unwavering dedication of His Grace Kozma Qirio to serve the Church and the eternal values of the Gospel in the most difficult times of the atheist dictatorship.

"His life is a living testament that faith and love can keep hope alive even in the most difficult times of denial and infidelity," emphasized Bishop Joani.

Present were clergy from the country's dioceses, representatives of local and regional authorities, as well as dozens of believers and ordinary citizens who knew and honored his figure.

In a special ceremony, the Vlora Municipal Council granted His Grace Bishop Kozma the title of "Honorary Citizen", as a sign of gratitude for his contribution to preserving spiritual values, strengthening the spiritual community and keeping the torch of faith burning when this act was punishable by law. /CNA

 





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