Church of Albania: 26 years since the death of the iconic Bishop of Apollonia Kosmastranslated

Report office ope.gr The memory of a man who played a decisive role in preserving the Orthodox faith in the communist-atheist Albania of Ember Hoxha and was then a pillar in the work of Archbishop Anastasios for the reconstitution of the dissolved Local Church, the iconic Bishop of Apollonia Mr. Kosmas (Kirio), was honored yesterday in Avlona, on the occasion of the completion 26 years since his sleep.  In the Holy Church of Saints Theodoros, a bi-hierarchical Divine Liturgy was held, presided over by the Metropolitan of Berati, Avlonos and Kanini, Mr. Astios, and co-officiating by the Metropolitan of Kortsa, Mr. Anastasios, as well as clergy from the Church of Albania, among them the son of Bishop Kosmas, Fr. Ilias Kyrgios.

The Divine Word was preached by the local Metropolitan Mr. Astios who initially referred to the Gospel passage of the day. He then spoke about the charismatic personality of the late Bishop Mr. Kosmas and thanked for his presence the Metropolitan of Kortsas, Mr. Anastasios, who was the brainchild of the blessed Hierarch.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, a holy memorial service was held for the repose...