The Saint Cosmas Monastery in Kolkondas, Libofsha, held a mass today to commemorate the martyrdom of the saint, led by the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania, His Grace Joan. The ceremony was attended by hundreds of believers from all over Albania, Greece, and foreign pilgrims.
Archbishop Joan emphasized in his speech that "the figure of Saint Cosmas is an example that should not only be admired, but also followed by believers."
The pilgrimage to the monastery of Saint Cosmas takes place every year from August 20 to 24, gathering numerous believers from the Mycenaean area and neighboring Greece, who visit the saint's tomb, believing in his miraculous abilities.
Saint Cosmas Aetolian was a missionary of the Greek Church in Albania during the 1760s–1770s, becoming one of the most beloved figures for the Orthodox in the south of the country. According to historical sources, in addition to his religious activity, he was also suspected of espionage. In 1779, at the age of 60, he was executed by order of Kurt Pasha of Berat. His body was thrown into the Seman River, but was found and buried by the residents near the church of Saint Mary in Kolkondas.
In 1814–1815, Ali Pasha Tepelena financed the construction of the monastery in his honor, where a traditional pilgrimage has taken place every year since then. Saint Cosmas Aetolian was officially declared a saint in 1961 by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Istanbul.
