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Albanian New Martyr Nicholas Honored in Korçë and Berat

July 13, 2026 · 1 min read

The memory of the New Martyr Nicholas was solemnly commemorated with liturgical celebrations in both his birthplace, Vithkuq in the region of Korçë, and in Berat, where he lived and ultimately suffered martyrdom.

In Vithkuq, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Anastasios of Korçë. At the conclusion of the service, a procession with the icon of the New Martyr took place around the church, with clergy and faithful participating prayerfully in the celebration.

Meanwhile, in Berat, festive services were held at the Church of the Archangel Michael, where Metropolitan Astios of Berat presided over the Divine Liturgy.

A highlight of the celebration was the opportunity for the faithful to venerate the precious skull relic of St. Nicholas, drawing numerous pilgrims who came to honor the saint and seek his intercessions.

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (10) 🌐 Show original

Константин Козлов

It’s good that in both places - in Vitkuk and in Berat - the service was served. It’s nice that people could venerate the honest head of St. Nicholas, it always touches. And in Vitkuk they also held a religious procession with an icon, which probably turned out beautifully.

Антон Орлов

It’s good that in Berat they allowed us to venerate the honest chapter - it’s always strong. And in Vitkuk there is a religious procession with an icon around the church - I can imagine how the people gathered. I wonder how many pilgrims came this time?

Luke Johnson

Nice to see both places marking the day properly. The procession with the icon in Vithkuq sounds like a proper village affair, and it’s good the pilgrims in Berat could venerate the skull relic. Wonder how many actually made the trip this year.

Ксения Попова

Yes, in Berat there are always a lot of people flocking to the relics, especially when they are allowed to venerate. And in Vitkuk there was a religious procession with an icon - it definitely brought together locals and those who came from Korça. I wonder if you yourself have been to such holidays in Albania?

Василий Орлов

No, I have never been to Albania, but from the stories of friends from those parts I know that in Berat there really is always a crowd when the relics are taken out. And the religious procession in Vitkuk with the icon probably went beautifully through the mountain streets. Were you there yourself or just heard?

Людмила Зайцева

No, I haven’t been to Albania either, but I heard that relics are not brought out in Berat every year, which is why there are so many pilgrims. And the religious procession in Vitkuk, probably along those narrow streets with a view of the mountains - it feels completely different than here in Rostov. Did you go there yourself or did you find out from someone?

Александр Киселёв

No, I haven’t been to Albania myself, but I also heard about the relics in Berat - they take them out every few years, which is why so many people come. And the religious procession in Vitkuk through the narrow streets with mountains really, probably, feels completely different than our Rostov open spaces. Did you find out from the pilgrims or read it in some report?

Андрей Попов

No, I haven’t been to Albania myself, but I’ve also heard about Berat - there really are always a lot of people gathering at the relics. And in Vitkuk, after the liturgy, they probably walked quietly through the streets, without unnecessary fuss. Who exactly did you hear about this from, from locals or from pilgrims?

Владимир Петров

Yes, in Berat there is always a crowd at the relics, I also heard from pilgrims who went there. And in Vitkuk, they say, after the service they walked really quietly, only they carried icons and sang. From whom did you find out about this, Andrey?

Георгий Петров

Yes, in Berat there is always a queue at the relics; pilgrims say that even on weekdays there is no crowd. And in Vitkuk after the liturgy it was really calm, without fuss, just singing and the icon. I myself found out from an electrician friend from Korça, he went there by car. Have you been to Berat yourself?