A Day in Tirana

May 31, 2014

This morning started with a funny turn of events. Fiona and I were attacked by children from the Home of Hope! It was such a beautiful gesture. They hugged us and the little ones even kissed us in excitement.They asked us when we were going to the beach with them and when we were having a pizza party. We hugged them back and told them the beach would have to be after the consecration of the Cathedral. Breakfast was at 8:00 today but by the time we were done talking with the precious lambs it was 8:15.

(Demetri and I inside a random historical column in Tirana)

Fiona and I didn't want to go late to breakfast and be rude especially since we have a tradition now of sitting at the head table. So instead we walked around the Shen Vlash Academy building looking at all of the photos hanging on the walls. After a while we bumped into some of the seminarians there who didn't like our reasoning for not being at breakfast. They brought us to the dining hall and we realized that no one was in there! So Fiona and I went to find Aht Luka. We walked to the van. Nobody. We went to the church. Nobody. Finally we went by the stumps and we saw Alex Karcher (or Alex #1) and Demetri Constantine. We asked about Aht Luka. He was sleeping. Fiona and I looked at each other and laughed. Aht Luka sleeping! We could have had breakfast after all. The rest of the group joined us and when Aht Luka was ready and we gathered around the stumps and had our morning prayers with a meditation after headed by Fellowship member Khader. 

We decided to get some breakfast in the city today. We got berak which is basically like Greek spanakopita or Spinach Pie except the filo dough is thicker and doesn't flake. As delicious as the food was this berak trip was also the hardest part of the trip so far. As we pilled out the van and ordered our food we had our first encounter with the gypsy community of Albania. Young children that couldn't have been older than my sister (who is 6) were tapping us, pulling on our shirts, and kissing our hands, clothes, arms anything they could grab begging for money. Not quite sure how to respond I just hugged the little boy who was asking me for things I did not have and smiled at him. I stroked the top of his head and looked at Aht Luka. He explained to us that this was one of the struggles of missions. 

I got my food but since I still had a child connected to my hip, I couldn't bring myself to start eating. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder and looked behind me. A young mother holding her baby begging. I said "me fal" which means I am sorry in Albanian and pointed to Aht Luka who was buying the gypsy children food and water. There were about 7 all together. Two mothers with newborns in their arms and 3 little kids. One by one going to each of us in hopes for money. The little boy was still by my side. I tried to direct him to Aht Luka but he was more interested in money than food. Finally with a little help from Alex Limberatos (Alex #2) we got through to him. Only when we got into the van did I start to eat and try to shake the feeling I had for the children who had to live a life of begging. Where was the love? I did my cross and prayed for an answer.

(Outside the museum with Metropolitan Jonah of Ugana [right] and
Most Reverend Nikon
Archbishop of Boston, New England & the Albanian Archdiocese OCA [middle])

Tirana was our destination for today. Our first stop the museum! Once again, Aht Luka had the best timing and as we were entering the museum, Metropolitan Jonah of Uganda and the Most Reverend Nikon Archbishop of Boston, New England and the Albanian Archdiocese  for the OCA were leaving. What are the chances!! Then we were met by our friends from the Student Center. What better way to learn the history of Albania while forming relationships with some of the university students from the Student Center? But best of all a day with Ana Baba!
My precious, precious Ana Baba! I cannot contain nor do I think it would be fair not to share a few thoughts on my dear friend and sister Ana Baba.  What a beautiful woman. My friend before I ever reached Albania. It's funny to think how the Missions Institute at Hellenic College brought two people together from opposite ends of the world, and through Facebook were able to stay in touch for two years! The benefits of such an amazing school centered in CHRIST!

(Fiona [left], Ingrid [middle] and I in Tirana)

How can I begin to describe Ana Baba? Selfless and full of love, of joy, of fun, of happiness. So full of Christ. The fellowship and I decided today to write her an apolitikion! Spending the day with Anna Baba is a blessing for me because not only did my friendship and respect for her grow but she also found a place in my heart through her selflessness. I remember getting the Facebook message from her about how she decided to support my trip here to Albania. Although Ana Baba lives in Albania, she was on sabbatical in America and didn't think she would be back in Albania to see us. She wrote to me saying how unfortunately she would not be in Albania with me but the money she sent me would have her spirit with me there. Then, fast forwarding to my first day of class of the practicum with Father Luke. The printers were not working and there was our first paper due. Fiona and I were frantically trying to assess our odds on how we could get this printed. We headed to Aht Luka's office and  when the door opened, who else would be there but Ana Baba herself. Having only met her briefly during missions week my freshman year, seeing her now after 2 years not through a computer screen on Facebook was joyous! We looked at each other as if we known each other for years and started embracing each other with hearty hugs. Father Luke looked at the scene unraveling in his office startled. He asked if we knew each other and we both exclaimed "yes!!" Glory to God for such things!! 

(Demetri [red shirt], Alex #1 [left- plaid shirt] and I [ the head behind the column]
 during the Concentration Vespers at the Chapel of the Nativity
**Photos courtesy of Emil Polygeni
http://www.romfea.gr/ektakta-nea-2/24653-2014-05-31-17-06-48) 

She became my dear friend that day. She taught me some Albanian during meals. She spoke to me about Christ. She taught me dedication. She showed me her country, let me into her heart, opened up to me without really ever knowing me. That is the sign of true agapi. True Christ like love that you are supposed to have for all of mankind. That love is the love Ana Baba possesses and shows to the world.

With Ana Baba and her students we grabbed lunch at a pizzeria and Ana had Khader and I share some stories about ourselves and our experiences with Christ and his Saints. After pizza we toured the city and went bowling. We had to be back at the Cathedral for the consecration vespers, so all full of laughter we headed back. Once back we waited for Aht Luka who departed from us after the museum. While waiting, they showed us what they used to teach Sunday school. Ingrida Bida, one of our new friends from the Student Center, showed me the books, and all the interactive sheets they hand out the kids. 

(Byzantine choir lead by Theodhor Peci
chanting during the Concentration Vespers at the Chapel of the Nativity
**Photos courtesy of Emil Polygeni
http://www.romfea.gr/ektakta-nea-2/24653-2014-05-31-17- 06-48) 

Aht Luka arrived and we headed for the chapel of the Nativity. When we got there the service was already started. It was officiated by His Grace Bishop Nathaniel Mr Amadou and in attendance symprodefchomenos Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysosotomos and Bishop Philomelion Elias. The Byzantine choir was chanting and it was so warm and glorious. I have a respect for those studying the byzantine arts such as music and Iconography. I squeezed my way into the chapel as I followed Demetri and Alex #1 to right side of the church right behind the bishops chair and next to the Byzantine choir. I realized shortly after receiving a few perplexed looks from various men that I was on the men side of the chapel but there would be no way I was moving. I had an amazing spot. I chanted in chorus with the byzantine choir from my spot the things I heard and knew in Albanian as well as whatever Greek was sung. Then as the service concluded I tried not to get squashed by the floods of Greeks and Albanians chasing after the Bishops and Archbishops for a blessing. I got to talk to Bishop Ilia Katre who is a family friend of my father. It was a good feeling to see familiar faces in Albania. After the service I also met Theodhor Peci, the leader of the Byzantine Choir. What a sweet, talented man! But soon we were back in the van ready to conclude yet another day while preparing for the biggest event in Albania and our mission trip... The Consecration! 

(Demetri [red shirt], and Khader [white polo and beard]
 during the Concentration Vespers at the Chapel of the Nativity
**Photos courtesy of Emil Polygeni
http://www.romfea.gr/ektakta-nea-2/24653-2014-05-31-17-06-48)

(Demetri [red shirt], Alex #1 [left- plaid shirt] and I [ the head behind the column]
 during the Concentration Vespers at the Chapel of the Nativity
**Photos courtesy of Emil Polygeni
http://www.romfea.gr/ektakta-nea-2/24653-2014-05-31-17-06-48)

(The Fellowship outside the museum with friends from the Student Center)

(The Fellowship and friends from the student center going for pizza!!)