Bektashi festival in Durballi-Sultan, in Volos, Greece

They surrounded with barbed wire and guards for decades the famous tekke of "Durballi Sultan" in Volos, Greece, exerted pressure and violence on believers who denied visits and pilgrimages to this holy place, but could not interrupt the spiritual ties and the path of hope of the believers with the path of Haxhi Bektash Veliu, until it was achieved that this denied refuge becomes the refuge of the believers. Already, although the neighboring state legally bans the activity of this famous Bektashi tekke, endless caravans of believers continue to go there, finding refuge, rest, hope and faith for the future, peace, kindness, love and worship of Almighty God . And believers of different races and faiths, have different ethnicities and speak different languages, but there they gather every day in the peaceful and in the brotherhood of this sacred faith. In particular, this influx is extremely large on the traditional day of the annual pilgrimage, every May 1st. This is how it happened this year too ... extremist circles, in order to avoid as much as possible the obstacles to the return of Bektashi objects wherever they are in the world in the service of the believers. It is precisely the support of millions of believers around the world that gives us the strength to achieve this goal. The case of the Volos tekke in Greece is a product of this work. On this occasion, I would like to thank mainly the emigrant believers from Albania, who for years have faced state segments to gain free access to this holy place, to repair with their possibilities the siege, until the opening and regulation of the road extremely depreciated ”- states among others the Bektashi World Leader, His Grace, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj.
Tekke of "Durballi Sultan"
The "Durballi Sultan" tekke in Volos, Greece, is one of the Bektashi buildings with a special history of the 800-year-old path of Bektashism. Here is a brief summary of the history of this tekke: Durballi Sultan tekke in the village of Asprogeias (Ireni). Far from the town of Farsala 28 km, from Larissa (prefecture) 72 km, and from Volos, 38 km. It is built on the top of a round hill, where there is a special beauty, one of the most beautiful of the province, a miracle, with buildings and incomparable nature. It is surrounded by the Halkodonius Mountains with the village of Rigeo (Ajvali) and. On the other side of the Kasidhiaris mountain in Fasala, there is the Rigeos station, and 2 km further is the village of Asprogeia (Ireni), or today it is called the tekke in Ireni a diversified architectural complex with separate buildings and at the entrance of the complex, an old fountain is built and in front of it with centuries-old plane trees. The central space of the tekke contains the walls of the cemetery, the shrine, places for living, for hospitality, prayer rooms, ovens and kitchens. The tekke at the time of its flowering had ownership over two whole villages, the Arduan manor (Eleftherohori of Volos) and Irene (Asprogeia of Farsala), a total area of ​​32,000 dynyms. He kept 300-400 small cattle. This tekke was closed for the last time on november 30.1972, where father Seit Koka from Vëndresha e Skraparit passed away. Father Seiti, the believers of the area have known him as a popular man, who spoke kindly to all; was a true benefactor of the province. The scholar from the Volos region, Georgios Thomas, writes about father Seiti: '... The last kind-hearted Albanian of the tekke to take him on a visit in the 1960s, to accompany him and walk him here with the green bow and the tax, with the hyacinth of India in his hands, as if it were an honor for some biblical figures to wander in the old buildings'. Father Seiti tells Georgos: “As you say, my good man, humanity and childhood lived in this ruin, especially the dervishes, two hundred people at that time. Leave a Christian traveler out? Never, ever. What does Albanian or Greek mean, Christian or Muslim? Amen, are we not all people of God? There is a God, to Him you pray, to Him we also pray. Did not Christ say 'Love one another'? Father Qazimi was honored by the whole area (1920-1942), because the inhabitants had felt his helping hand for their families. But the tragic end, was, when in the spring of 1942, when the Italian battalion passed; captured and executed because they had information that he was participating in the resistance of the people. Talking about father Seit Koka, one will know a little about the history of the famous Durballi Sultan tekke, founded in 1480 in Farsalla, Greece. Durballi Sultan, this missionary was sent by Seyid Ali Sultan, of the Dimoteka tekke in Bulgaria. Durballi Sultan founded the tekke and made it famous not only in the Balkans but also in the world. He ran the tekke for 42 years, until 1552. He is known as the famous father for a great activity and has been a great saint. Believers of the area and the entire population in this area still talk about this wonderful saint. The tekke consists of two spatial units: the cemetery and the main temple. In the area of ​​the cemetery are the tombs of dervishes and on the west side two tombs where the parents (fathers) are buried. The main space of the tekke consists of various constructions: living space, hospitality, worship, as well as ovens, kitchens according to the architectural concept of the World Center of Bektashism in Nevshehir, Turkey, today Haxhi Bektash. Of particular interest from an architectural point of view, is the ruined building on the east side and other constructions that give this rare complex a special charm. Durballi Sultan was also a great mystic for this shows a poem made for him by father Abedin Leskoviku: Aman! Here is Durballi-I am a tower to you, / Qerem ja Mahzuni- ja nurler nuri / Sultan Sejd Ali-Sërri Bektashi, / Je soj Peykamberi-Je Rum Server / Qeramete .
Pilgrimage day
This year's pilgrimage day has been one of the most massive pilgrimages in recent years at the "Durballi Sultan" tekke in Volos, Greece, but also the most organized and peaceful. For days, under the care of the Grandfather, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, measures were taken for a better organization, as well as for a greater participation of believers from Albania. A part of the believers from Albania had left two days ago and spent the nights in the premises of the tekke of "Durballi Sultan", which had turned into a large and illuminated town, with a host of tents and other accommodation facilities, where Bektashi songs were heard in Albanian, Greek, English, Turkish, Arabic and other languages. While another organized part with vans and vehicles traveled from Tirana and other districts of Albania to Volos, since April 30, to be there in the first hours of the pilgrimage tomorrow, May 1. Merushja, although old, also serves as a guide, as she has been to this holy place other times. Among the believers from Albania, there are many young people who have come this day to the famous tekke of "Durballi Sultan". Whereas Arben Sulejmani, precedes the caravan of numerous vehicles that have traveled from Tetovo, Skopje, Kichevo and Gostivar, to Volos, Greece ...
The breakfast of the Bektashi festive day, resembles a real Bektashi holiday. The dances are already danced together by believers of different ethnicities, while the voice of the famous singer Ylli Baka, who travel to Volos especially for this event, adds beauty to the pilgrimage. "I have sung a lot in my life, even in Bektashi activities, but this activity today, has something special, there is a variety of ethnicities of believers, conversations in many languages, but that unites the Bektashi brotherhood. Where there is the most beautiful thing. Thank you Dede Edmond Brahimaj who gives us such pleasures, develops such activities that strengthen brotherhood and love for God "- adds a moment the singer Baka.
The Consul of Albania in Thessaloniki, Pavlina Evro, also came to this event. Apart from the clergy from Albania, Bektashi clerics from Kosovo, the Northern Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, etc. also came ... At one point, the festive groups gather in the square of the tekke, where the official ceremony begins.
Greetings from the World Leader
After it was almost impossible for him to break away from the groups of numerous believers seeking to kiss his hands, receive the blessing or take a picture together, the Bektashi World Leader, His Grace Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, along with other clerics and state officials climbs to the podium and makes the occasional salute. Among other things, he emphasized: “... It is certainly the will of the Great God but also kindness that has gathered us all today, in this blessed place in the famous Bektashi tekke that bears the name of its founder, Durballi Sultani . It is the philosophy of Haxhi Bektash Veliu, the essence of which speaks only peace and religious brotherhood, which has gathered us together on this day of pilgrimage. Founded more than five centuries ago, this cult of the Bektashi order, the magnificent tekke would spread the light of belief in God for generations of believers. The peoples in general, but especially the peoples of the Balkans, in their religious consciousness had understood the importance of the convergence of religions and beliefs in one God, so they worshiped Him, according to their customary codes and ways, always with hope  for a quieter life away from racial and ethnic grievances, away from the language of violence and hatred. Exactly this excellent mission of the cult object, has been best realized by the tekke here in Irini of Frasalla, in this so prosperous and hospitable place. The dervishes and fathers who served in this resting place of soul and body, conveying for centuries the characteristic Bektashi wisdom, have made it possible to turn this place into a real monastery, where different people, believers or not, aim and Bektashis, Christians or Jews, came full of pain and went full of hope. The doors of the tekke for five hundred years were never closed, to anyone, and this turned the object in question into the symbol of the house of God. Such facts, of the hospitality and generosity of the dervishes and the fathers of the tekke, are numerous and have been pointed out by both Ottoman and Greek historiography. There are dozens of authors who confess not only the hospitality but also the pure feelings of brotherhood that this tekke spread. In this sense, a truly brilliant drawing was given by the author Andrea Karkavitas in the newspaper "Estia" Athens 1892. We are lucky today, when we remember that in this tekke have given their valuable contribution some dervishes and fathers from Albania , until recently, Father Seiti from Vëndresha e Skraparit, who closed his eyes in 1972. Around the tekke there are still today many good Greek citizens who bring to mind this wise cleric who kindly distributed all his life. Especially today, we need love of God more than ever. We need to be brothers and live in peace with every religion and faith. God bless all of you who came here today! ”
Peaceful day of brotherhood
After the Bektashi World Leader, to greet the faithful, the floor is given to Mrs. Pavlina Evro, Consul of the Republic of Albania in Thessaloniki. Among other things, she said: “I am happy in the first place that I am given the opportunity to greet today all of you, participants in this special, massive and very beneficial pilgrimage for the way it is organized and the messages of peace and coexistence that it conveyed to believers, regardless of nationality or country where they work or live. I gladly accepted the invitation and on this occasion I want to thank in particular the Bektashi World Leader, His Grace, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj who with such activities, in addition to strengthening the spiritual ties of believers with God, create a climate of friendship, love, solidarity and peace, so necessary in the difficult times we are going through today. It is very significant today the participation of Bektashi clerics from Albania, Northern Macedonia, Kosovo, Turkey, etc., but also the clergy of other faiths, the participation of believers who speak different languages ​​and come from different countries, but who reflect love for one -other others and reflect and reflect the best Bektashi rites and traditions. The history of the tekke of ‘Durballi Sultan’, is a part of the golden but also painful and difficult history that this belief has gone through over the centuries, where violent approaches of state segments, extremist and malicious, have not been absent or are still absent. But such activities, where peace and love for the homeland are preached, as is the mission of the Bektashi faith ‘Without a homeland there is no religion’, affect the good of the whole society. And once again I thank you from the bottom of my heart! ”
... Meanwhile, after the ceremony, the traditional lunch started, where in groups, the believers enjoy the prepared food, but also continue the endless conversations, breaths and beautiful Bektashi songs ...
Concern of the Bektashi cleric from Turkey
As he conversed with other clerics and many believers, the Bektashi cleric Mahmut Erkin Ajdin, hurried to communicate further with the Bektashi World Leader, His Grace, Haji Dede Edmond Brahimaj. He feels excited about participating in this pilgrimage, the way it is organized and the messages of peace that he conveys, but he does not hide the sorrow that torments him; the impossibility of such activities taking place in Turkey as well, due to the politics there. He shows that he lives in Istanbul, but finds time to make the Bektashi religious service door to door with the believers illegally ... He says and hopes that God will bring this day as soon as possible, while talking to the World Leader. "... Although state policy has banned the legal practice of the Bektashi religion in Turkey and the reopening of objects of this faith, Bektashi rites and traditions are practiced in homes or other places by believers, away from the eyes and ears of the state, away from the antenna. 'that the state has set up to impede the religious freedom of the millions of Bektashis living in these lands. We believe in God that this day will come soon, but we must also raise our voice louder ... We have our eyes today on the Holy See, on the World Grandfather, Dede Edmond Brahimaj ... "- he affirms between others.
For the rebuilding of the tekke "Durballi Sultan"
The demolition of the "Durballi Sultan" tekke, due to its closure for many decades, could not be avoided ... You can see it in many of its former buildings. But it has started to be rebuilt ... Its complete siege has been done, the tomb has been repaired and some special environments, even the tombs have been kept and a road segment has been laid to bring it here. And all this, from the Albanian emigrants who came to this area after 1990. And all this, with hardship, suffering and even police terror that reached there, until two or three years ago, did not leave the believers. We took the opportunity and talked at length with some devout immigrants who have contributed everything that has been done so far to this tekke:
Vladimir Muratlliu: “I am 44 years old and I am from Senica of Përmet. I came to emigrate here in Greece years ago. I live with my family in Lamia. I had heard about the well-known tekke of "Durballi Sultan" and the spirit of the Bektashi believer, made me go in search of it, along with some other believers. We found it and we were not far away. We were amazed to find it, but worried about its demolition. Since 2008, I have been coming here, lighting a candle, gaining hope and trust in the Great God, fleeing to return again. But this has not been easy. The police did not allow us to approach the facility, threatened us and many times accompanied and stopped us. But we again, the feet led us to our tekke. And this became so massive that even the police found it impossible to stop us. And we, we started to place a stone, to make a siege, to arrange the tomb, etc ... And the believers increased. Everything from our toil and sweat. But we feel satisfied, relieved for what we have done. We know that there is a lot of work, and we will do it. I met today the World Leader, Dede Edmond, he congratulated me, congratulated me and blessed me, gave me arms ... So did the other friends we have worked and we work here. Do you see this participation of believers today!?. There will be more and more in this holy place ... ".
Agron and Namik Kadillari (brothers): “..We are from Skrapar Lake and come from a family with an early Bektashi tradition. Our parents have been myhips. We have been here since 2006 and are well settled as a family. We live well with our work and sweat. Once we have come and gone, we have done and will do our best to fix the premises of this famous Bektashi tekke. From the first weeks we came here as a family, we come whenever we can. With our money we helped in the siege of the premises of the territory, as well as arranged a road segment of more than one kilometer ... Today we are very happy. Where have so many people been seen here for so many decades !? They are Albanians, Greeks, Turks, Arabs, etc ... The World Leader comes, meets us, congratulates and blesses us! Where are the happiest days for us Bektashis in emigration !? ”
The epilogue of the pilgrimage
The evening is approaching and the believers, with a caravan of vehicles and some on foot, start to leave, full of hope and faith in God ... Actor and poet Sadush Ylli, while acknowledging the surprise for this year's participation in this pilgrimage, insists to highlight and the role of the Holy See and especially of the Bektashi World Leader, His Grace Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj for the work done in rebuilding the Bektashi faith and facilities not only in Albania, but around the world where millions of Bektashis work and live. But in this division with the mutual wish "God help us", there is also an 'obstacle', which not only excites, but also makes everyone present proud: Endless queues of groups and people who want to take a picture, to have a memory with the World Grandfather .... So the emptying of the premises of "Durballi Sultan", on this marked day of pilgrimage, is done only by hiding the sun behind the peak ...