Easter marching

22/04/2009From Graham McBain, BMS worker in Tirana, Albania

Easter Sunday was celebrated with style as over 5,000 evangelical Christians marched through the streets of Tirana. It was amazing to be part of such an important and powerful event.

The march started at the central square, Skendenberg Square, and followed the central boulevard to the outside of Tirana University where a big worship service was held. Christians came from all over the country to be part of this wonderful occasion. People waved flags and banners declaring ‘The grave is empty’ and ‘Jesus is alive’; balloons were released into the air, it was like a carnival.

 

 

 

Our small church (Light of the World) joined in the march and it was good to be encouraged by joining with other churches from throughout the country. As we neared the final point of the march, a choir in white robes greeted us on the steps of the university. There they sang in front of a huge banner declaring Jesus is risen. The choir was led by a famous Albanian singer who only became a Christian recently. She poured depth and emotion into every note sang.

We’ve seen so many films and pictures of the old Communist marches and rallies through the streets of Tirana during the Communist regime. People would carry banners and huge pictures of the Dictator Enver Hoxha. Children would join him on stage to kiss and hug their ‘beloved uncle’. Hoxha famously banned all religious activity from Albania declaring, “There is no God, there is only Albania”.

On Easter Sunday, in those very streets where the communists used to march, the Christians marched declaring a freedom that Albanians couldn’t imagine in their past days. Rather than people following a picture of Enver, people followed the cross.