OCMC Missionaries Help Christ’s Light Shine in Albania
Isaiah’s prophecy, “The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light” (Is. 9:2), rings true in Albania, a country that emerged in 1990 from the darkness of communism and official atheism after almost 50 years. Helping to shine the true Light of Christ are nine OCMC missionaries who work hand-in-hand with the Albanian Orthodox Church, which experienced its own resurrection after the fall of communism. Our missionaries in Albania work and teach at schools of the Archdiocese, including Logos University, a private university of the Church; work in Archdiocesan departments and ministries for communications, youth, young adults, and philanthropy; and are fully integrated in the life of the local Church. The work that they do, together with their Albanian brothers and sisters, and under the direction of the Archbishop and local bishops, helps lead people to Christ just like the Star of Bethlehem.
From our longest-tenured OCMC missionary, Dr. Nathan Hoppe, to our newest missionaries, Steve and Theophani Sarigianis, OCMC has assisted in Albania since 1991, when the Archdiocese was reestablished. Recently, all the missionaries and their families gathered to celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving together. It was the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic that they were all together, and even several staff from OCMC’s headquarters joined them.
The effort of our Albanian missionaries is indicative of the work being done by all 29 OCMC missionaries throughout the world. We are truly thankful for all the diligent work they do, for the sake of sharing Christ's Light and Love with the world. Read more about their work by clicking the links below: Pamela Anastasia Barksdale, the Bendo family, the Hoppe family, the Macdonald family, the Ritsi family, and the Sarigianis family. You may also learn about the work of all our missionaries at OCMC Missionaries. Please keep all of them and their work in your prayers!