Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral of Tirana

Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral of Tirana Katedralja ortodokse “Ngjallja e Krishtit”“
Basic information
Affiliation	Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania
State	Albania
Province	Tirana
Year consecrated	2014
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Cathedral
Leadership	Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania
Architectural description
Groundbreaking	2011 (2011)
Completed	2012
Specifications

The Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral of Tirana (Albanian:Katedralja "Ngjallja e Krishtit") is an Albanian Orthodox cathedral in Tirana, Albania. The construction of the building, south-west of Tirana Center Plaza, was completed in 2012. It is the third-largest Orthodox cathedral located on the Balkan Peninsula. It was officially opened on 24 June 2012 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the revival of the Albanian orthodox church and the election of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania.

On June 1, 2014 In the presence of a multitude of worshippers, the rite of the Great Consecration and the Divine Liturgy were celebrated by Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, 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, Georgia, Bulgaria, and the head of the Albanian archdiocese of the Orthodox Church in America.

Architecture

The complex of the Cathedral includes the following buildings: the cathedral,chapel of the Nativity, bell tower, the residence of the Holy Synod, cultural center,a library,two other chapels and a small museum.

The cathedral's dome is 32.2 m high, with the bell tower reaching 46 metres

The bell tower is composed of four Paschal candles which symbolize the four Evangelists who proclaimed the Resurrection. These join together around the central shaft of stairs. The winding staircase leads to two open floors with 16 bells. 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.