The Resurrection Cathedral () is an

Albanian Orthodox The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania ( sq, Kisha Ortodokse Autoqefale e Shqipërisë), commonly known as the Albanian Orthodox Church or the Orthodox Church of Albania, is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church. It declared its autoce ...

church situated in the center of

Tirana Tirana ( , ; aln, Tirona) is the capital and largest city of Albania. It is located in the centre of the country, enclosed by mountains and hills with Dajti rising to the east and a slight valley to the northwest overlooking the Adriatic Sea ...

Albania Albania ( ; sq, Shqipëri or ), or , also or . officially the Republic of Albania ( sq, Republika e Shqipërisë), is a country in Southeastern Europe. It is located on the Adriatic The Adriatic Sea () is a body of water separating the ...

. It is considered among the largest Eastern Orthodox churches in the

Balkans The Balkans ( ), also known as the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throughout the who ...

. It was officially opened on June 24, 2012, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the revival of the

Albanian Orthodox Church The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania ( sq, Kisha Ortodokse Autoqefale e Shqipërisë), commonly known as the Albanian Orthodox Church or the Orthodox Church of Albania, is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church. It declared its autoce ...

and the election of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania.

Architecture and engineering

Designed by the New York City-based Architect and Engineering team of Steven P. Papadatos and Lizardos Engineering Associates. The complex of the cathedral includes the following buildings: the cathedral, the chapel of the Nativity, the bell tower, the residence of the Holy Synod, the cultural center, a library, two other chapels and a small museum. The cathedral's

dome A dome () is an architectural element similar to the hollow upper half of a sphere. There is significant overlap with the term cupola, which may also refer to a dome or a structure on top of a dome. The precise definition of a dome has been a ...

is 32.2 m high, with the bell tower reaching 46 metres The bell tower, designed and sculpted by Archbishop Anastasios, is composed of four Paschal candles which symbolize the four Evangelists who proclaimed the Resurrection. These join around the central shaft of stairs. The winding staircase leads to two open floors with 16

bell A bell is a directly struck idiophone percussion instrument. Most bells have the shape of a hollow cup that when struck vibrates in a single strong strike tone, with its sides forming an efficient resonator. The strike may be made by an inte ...

s. A four-sided clock sits above the bells. The two underground levels below the cathedral church were used to fulfill the church's need for a Cultural and Conference Center. The center has an amphitheater with a capacity for 500-850 people which may be used to host lectures, shows, and concerts. The auxiliary wings and backstage allow this hall to be used as a theater also. On the eastern side of the amphitheater is a small museum, a lecture hall, a surrounding for banquets and an area for exhibitions and children's activities. To the right of the grand marble staircase which leads to the church cathedral there is ample space for a bookstore and a store with church items. Meanwhile, to the left of the stairs are two rooms where youth groups and faithful can gather after church services. To the north, in front of the Conference and Cultural Center there is a small outdoor amphitheater, for use during summer months.

Opening

On June 1, 2014, in the presence of a multitude of worshippers, the rite of the Great Consecration and the

Divine Liturgy Divine Liturgy ( grc-gre, Θεία Λειτουργία, Theia Leitourgia) or Holy Liturgy is the Eucharistic service of the Byzantine Rite, developed from the Antiochene Rite of Christian liturgy which is that of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of C ...

were celebrated by

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople Bartholomew ( el, Βαρθολομαῖος, ; tr, Bartholomeos; born 29 February 1940) is the 270th Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch, since 2 November 1991. In accordance with his title, he is regarded as the ''primus int ...

Patriarch Daniel of Romania Daniel (), born Dan Ilie Ciobotea (; born 22 July 1951), is the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The elections took place on 12 September 2007. Daniel won with a majority of 95 votes out of 161 against Bartolomeu Anania. He was offic ...

, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, Patriarch Irenaeus of Serbia, Archbishop Chrysostom of Cyprus, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens, Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, Metropolitan Savva of Warsaw, as well as representatives of the Churches of Alexandria, Antioch,

Russia Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eigh ...

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to t ...

Bulgaria Bulgaria (; bg, България, Bǎlgariya), officially the Republic of Bulgaria,, ) is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern flank of the Balkans, and is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Mac ...

, and the head of the Albanian archdiocese of the

Orthodox Church in America The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) is an Eastern Orthodox Christian church based in North America. The OCA is partly recognized as autocephalous and consists of more than 700 parishes, missions, communities, monasteries and institutions i ...

Gallery

Tirana Orthodox church Albania 2018.2.jpg Tirana_Cathedral_2016-2017.jpg Tirana_Church_-_Tower.jpg Catedral de la Resurección de Cristo, Tirana, Albania, 2014-04-17, DD 14.JPG Orthodox Cathedral Ringjallja Tirana.jpg Tirana Orthodox church interior Albania 2018.2.jpg Tirana Orthodox church interior Albania 2018.4.jpg Tirana Orthodox church interior Albania 2018.5.jpg Tirana Orthodox church interior Albania 2018.9.jpg

References

{{Authority control Cathedrals in Albania Churches in Tirana Churches completed in 2012 20th-century Eastern Orthodox church buildings Eastern Orthodox church buildings in Albania Albanian Orthodox cathedrals 20th-century churches in Albania

Architecture and engineering

Opening

Gallery

See also

References