Tirana, March 10, 2015
The Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church has made a protest against the government’s decision to demolish the fencing around the Cathedral of Resurrection of Christ in the center of Tirana, reports Romfea.
Such actions put this holy place in danger as people of various ages constantly gather here, especially youth and teenagers.
The cathedral ensemble has three entrances to basement rooms: the cultural center, youth and children centers and the library.
Guarding of all these premises in the evenings under present-day conditions is practically impossible without railings.
The government made this decision in October 2014 and no agreement with the Church was made.
The contractor who had received the order for the work to be carried out first notified the Church and acquainted it with the corresponding town planning authorization on January 12, 2015.
On January 14 the government confirmed approval of the new authorization, and late in February forwarded it to the Church for familiarization. This authorization replicated 75 percent of the previous one.
A Church representative responded that such a plan by no means could be approved.
On March 2, the contracting company workers demolished the railings and uprooted trees on the north side of the cathedral complex with no official notification.
Expensive ventilation systems, cisterns with fuel and water as well as electric systems were installed in the ensemble’s yard under which the underground premises (in several stories) are situated.
Such unauthorized interferences put the safety of these underground premises at risk.
These actions contradict the law 10057/22.1.2009, “The Agreement between the Cabinet and the Church” that guarantees respect and protection of objects and territories belonging to the Orthodox Church.
