President of the Republic, Ilir Meta visited this Monday the Orthodox College in Rome, where enlightened figures of the Arbëresh community were educated. 

Through a message, the head of state emphasized that one of the students of this College was Lekë Matranga. As he has published some photos, Meta can be seen that he has the bible with him. 

“An impressive visit to the Orthodox College in Rome, where since 1576 the clergy have been educated, as well as some of the brightest figures of our beloved Arbëresh community. 

One of the students of this College was Lekë Matranga, who with his first creation in the Albanian language, "Mbësuame dhe Krështerë" officially marked the beginning of Arbëresh literature. 

Giorgio Cortese di Lungro and all Arbëresh bishops like Gabriele De Marchis, Mons. Stamati, Mons. Lupinacci and Mons. Oliverio, Stefano and Samuele Rodotà, as well as Demetrio Camarda were educated in this institution. 

We also remembered the Josif Papamihali River in Elbasan, who attended philosophical and theological courses at this College, to then perform, on December 1, 1935, his first Divine Liturgy, in the Arbëresh church of St. Thanas. 

It is a special pleasure to see in the rich fund of the library of this College the original copies of some of the works of a series of bright personalities of our National Renaissance, such as Jeronim de Rada, Father Gjergj Fishta and many others ", writes Meta.