Easter celebration in Korça gathers foreign visitors/ Believers share their emotions

2025-04-20 08:27:00, Aktualitet CNA

Easter celebration in Korça gathers foreign visitors/ Believers share

Orthodox believers celebrated the holiest night of the year in Korça, the Resurrection of Christ. On Saturday evening, thousands of citizens gathered in the square in front of the Cathedral and along the pedestrian street to receive the holy light, a symbol of hope and resurrection.

The Resurrection Service was led by Father Ilia Kotnani, while the faithful lit candles to take home as a symbol of blessing and peace.

The atmosphere was warm and filled with emotion and prayer. Through CNA TV, many believers expressed their wishes for a happy and healthy Easter, emphasizing that this holiday is one of the most important for them. Among other things, they shared the symbolism of the flame and how they will celebrate Sunday lunch.

"Taking the flame is like a blessing, we light it at home, we also make a cross with black paint. I will celebrate with my sons, with my daughters-in-law, I have three nieces, one nephew, there are many of us. We cooked the dishes, we roasted the meat, we do the rest in the morning while we serve lunch. Happy for everyone, may it come with good fortune, may the young people remain here in Albania."

"The flame is God's hope, it is his light and spirit. On Sunday we will celebrate at home, with family, not very big things because we do not celebrate to eat but we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ."

"The symbolism is that we raise hope. If you raise the light, you will raise hope, good luck for everything. We will celebrate like always, at home because we are elderly. We have children here, but we have them far away. I wish from the bottom of my heart that everyone is happy and has hope for the future."

Among those present were also foreign visitors, mainly from Greece, who expressed their amazement at the atmosphere and reception that took place in the city of Korça.

"I came to Korca, it's very beautiful. This is the third time I've come. I like Korca a lot. My friends asked me, are we going to Korca? I immediately said yes."

"Yes, it's my first time for Easter in Korca. The atmosphere is very nice, although I was told there would be fireworks, but there weren't many. Anyway, it's very beautiful and Easter in Korca was on the list of things I wanted to do. I hope that the two peoples, Albanians and Greeks, live in harmony and with a lot of friendship between them."

The most special event that culminated exactly at midnight was a marriage proposal that a 34-year-old man from Korçë decided to make to his girlfriend. Amidst emotions, Thomaq Lubonja revealed the reason why he chose this exact moment.

"I thought about Easter night today because it is a special day, a day of joy, a day of hope, a day of love. I thought that on this special day, proposing marriage to you would be the most beautiful thing on this holy day. I feel very happy, very excited. I believe that this was one of the most exciting events of my life. I wish all Orthodox believers a happy Easter. Christ is risen!"

"I didn't expect it. Now I have a mix of feelings."

Orthodox Easter continues to be a celebration that unites not only local residents, but also many visitors, who choose Korça to experience the special feeling of this night.

The great Easter Mass will be celebrated on Sunday morning, under the leadership of the city's clergy, led by Father Ilia Kotnani, who conveyed his wishes for peace, goodness and prosperity for all./ CNA