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Catholic and Orthodox clergy congratulate the faithful on Christmas Eve

2024-12-24 19:20:00, Aktualitet CNA

In Albania, while the Catholic and Orthodox believers are preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, their spiritual leaders today conveyed the traditional Christmas message. The clerics wished the believers that hope is not missing in their hearts and that everyone does their best, both in church and social life.

When there are still a few hours left before the traditional Christmas Mass, Catholic and Orthodox clergy addressed the faithful with congratulations on the birth of Jesus Christ and with the annual message on the occasion of this holiday.

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Shkodër-Pulti, Monsignor Angelo Massafra, reminded the faithful that the year 2024 marked one of the most important moments for the church, that of the beatification of two young martyrs, one from Albania and the other from Kosovo.

"As a Church in Albania, on November 16 of this year, we received a great grace with the Beatification of our Martyrs Luigj Paliqi and Gjon Gazulli: two wonderful examples of active cooperation with God for the salvation of the world. The sacrifice of their lives, in fact, was not an end in itself, but contributed to the restoration of justice and peace in their people: in this way they became instruments in the hands of God for the salvation of their brothers and sisters who they were in great difficulties", he declared.

Through his message, Monsignor Massafra wished the faithful that hope would never be absent in their hearts and that everyone would do their best and engage in church and social life.

"To all the families of this land, dear Albanians, and in particular to those of this Archdiocese, I wish you to have healthy relationships according to the model of the Holy Family. I wish you young people to open up to life, not to be discouraged in building their future by following the path of goodness. To those who are still living in social and economic difficulties, I wish you to find the support of the relevant institutions", said Monsignor Massafra.

While the Metropolitan of Korça, His Grace Joani, says in his message that the true celebration of Christmas should be the actualization and experience of this event in the very being of believers, because only in this way will Christ be alive and present in life theirs.

"The world is facing numerous economic crises, wars and poverty. Today, more than ever, the revival of a spiritual life is necessary, because economic crises, wars and poverty stem from a spiritual crisis. Without healing the spiritual crisis, we cannot heal the economic one and we cannot have peace, and without peace we will constantly have wars, conflicts and poverty", he declared.

"Let's not only think about ourselves, but also about everyone else, especially about the poor and people in need," said Metropolitan Joan in his message.

"We must be present in the daily life of society, to spread, not only with words, but also with deeds and personal example, the warm spirit of love and compassion between people, so as not to let human society freeze in the wind the ice of selfishness and arrogance and be fragmented by indifference and apathy".

In their messages for Christmas, the clergy are calling on the faithful to reflect on the period that Albanian society is going through, as well as to promote love for each other and for the environment./VOA