The new Archbishop of Albania, His Beatitude John, was enthroned on Saturday at the “Resurrection of the Lord” Cathedral in Tirana, during a ceremony attended by members of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Albania and representatives of other autocephalous Churches.
Commitment to Sacrificial Ministry
In his enthronement address, His Beatitude Archbishop John expressed deep gratitude to God and to all those who contributed to the revival of the Orthodox Church in Albania.
“We thank and honor the martyrs of Illyria who spread the light of faith in the lands where we live, witnessing with their blood and lives; the venerable saints who kept the light of faith through the centuries; the new martyrs who, in an extraordinarily difficult time for our church and country, gave their lives to preserve their faith, national identity, and language.”
The newly enthroned Archbishop also pointed to the contribution of his predecessors, particularly recalling Archbishops Theofan Noli and Anastasios. Referring to Abp Anastasios of blessed memory, he said that “he not only managed to rebuild the walls of the Church and its physical infrastructure, but his main effort was to have a church where God is worshiped “in spirit and truth.”
“Personally, I will try with all my strength to serve the flock that God has entrusted to me, always keeping in mind the words of the Lord that the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve (Mt. 20:28),” Archbishop John promised at the end of his speech.
Message from the Patriarch of Romania
On this occasion, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel sent a message of blessing and congratulations, expressing his confidence that the new Primate will fulfill the entrusted ministry with pastoral responsibility and missionary dynamism, contributing to the proclamation of the Gospel in an increasingly secularized world marked by multiple crises.
“We are fully confident that Your Beatitude will fulfil the new ministry entrusted to you with great pastoral responsibility and missionary dynamism, contributing to the proclamation of the Gospel message of our Lord Jesus Christ to an increasingly secularized world, marked by multiple crises.”
Ecumenical Patriarch’s message
The Ecumenical Patriarchate delegated Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon to participate in the enthronement ceremony and convey Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s message of congratulations.
“The Mother Church of Constantinople bestows its blessing upon your enthronement, recognizing in this moment both the crowning of a faithful ministry and the beginning of new growth under your pastoral care. The apostolic ministry you bear links you to an unbroken chain of service, while also propelling you forward into new territories of witness and ministry in this complex world,” His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew conveyed.
“The Ecumenical Patriarchate, in its historic role, continues with zeal its work of nurturing this pan-Orthodox communion, strengthening dialogue and cooperation. Not through rigid uniformity, but through a rich symphonic harmony. This model reflects the very divine way of life itself.”
“May God grant you, Your Beatitude, wisdom and strength for many years of fruitful and blessed shepherding,” he concluded.
A Manifestation of Solidarity
The Romanian Orthodox Church was represented by His Eminence Archbishop Nifon of Târgoviște, Honorary Metropolitan and Patriarchal Exarch. The delegation also included Archdeacon Nicolae Iftimiu, Director of the Basilica News Agency.
“Participation in the enthronement of the Primate of an Autocephalous Orthodox Church carries not only a formal significance, but an ecclesiological one—that is, one of faith,” His Eminence Hon Metropolitan Nifon told Basilica.ro.
“This is a manifestation of solidarity in the unity of Orthodoxy, or more precisely, a manifestation of the unity of Orthodoxy itself, because through our participation, we recognize both the autocephaly of the Church and its Primate. We rejoice to be present at this enthronement ceremony, as it allows us to profess our faith.”
Message from the President of Albania
The event was also attended by the President of the Republic of Albania, His Excellency Bajram Begaj, who offered a message of congratulations to the new Archbishop, wishing him to be a leader who builds bridges, promotes coexistence, and strengthens faith.
“May you be a leader who builds bridges, promotes coexistence, strengthens faith, and spreads love, peace, hope, and justice among people! May God be with you at every step of this noble journey!” – wished the President of the Republic.
Photo: Church of Albania / Antonio Poshnjari
Archbishop John
Aged 69, His Beatitude Archbishop John was born in Tirana and was given the name Fatmir at birth. During the period of religious persecution in Albania, he was secretly baptized at the age of 23 by the heroic priest Kosmas Kyrios, who later became a bishop. Read more.
