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Selanik reminds us of the glorious past of our patriotic movement, which found shelter in this city. Selanik also reminds us of the Albanian architect of reconstruction, Hasan Prishtina, who was not only a close collaborator of Fan Noli but also a conveyer of great national ideas, where the religious component was the link that connected the internal harmony of Albanians.
The Albanian community in Selanik is returning to the historical glory of our people, which was the driving force behind our national renaissance. Because only by remembering our glorious past can we ensure a good future, both for ourselves and for our neighbors with whom we coexist.
I congratulate my dear friend, Dr. Luan Zyka, for organizing this very important event with a direct impact on the spiritual enrichment of the Albanian community in Selanik. This event sheds light on another major event that took place 115 years ago, on March 22, 1908, at the "Knights of Honor" hall in Boston when Fan Noli recited the divine liturgy in Albanian and said on that occasion, "Sing the prayers as you know them, Albanian, then God will correct them."
By holding the first mass in Albanian, which sounded beautiful and was so well understood by the present believers, the Albanian Orthodox Church of St. George was established in Boston. This confirmed Fan Noli's far-sighted vision when he began efforts towards autocephaly of the Albanian Orthodox Church in America.
To honor the memory of the first mass in Albanian, the Albanian elite in Selanik is opening a new page in the history of religious and cultural organization, following in the footsteps of the great Noli in organizing a mass in Albanian here, which will convey messages of peace, love, and understanding among people.
I highly value your organization, especially when Selanik reminds us of the glorious past of our patriotic movement, which found shelter in this city. Selanik also reminds us of the Albanian architect of reconstruction, Hasan Prishtina, who was not only a close collaborator of Fan Noli but also a conveyer of great national ideas, where the religious component was the link that connected the internal harmony of Albanians.
Fan Noli and Hasan Prishtina worked closely together, even when Noli was a member of the government cabinet of Hasan Prishtina as Foreign Minister, and even when Hasan Prishtina was not part of the government cabinet but went into exile and became a leader in the fight for reunification.
But despite the differences, people must share the goal of living in peace and harmony among themselves, giving more priority to the components that unite them than to separate them.
Even Thessaloniki can become an agora where people can communicate and cooperate with each other, giving the best of themselves for the benefit of others.
Even Greeks and Albanians have a lot in common, starting from hospitality, solidarity and the spirit of integration in joint Euro-Atlantic processes.
In the name of this common spirit, I wish that the Albanian community here will continue to cultivate good coexistence with the Greeks, serving common humanitarian and social causes.