{"id":520498,"date":"2025-03-31T11:17:12","date_gmt":"2025-03-31T08:17:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=520498"},"modified":"2025-03-31T11:17:12","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T08:17:12","slug":"new-era-church-albania-archbishop-john-enthroned-tirana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/new-era-church-albania-archbishop-john-enthroned-tirana\/","title":{"rendered":"A new era begins for the Church of Albania: Archbishop John enthroned in Tirana"},"content":{"rendered":"

The new Archbishop of Albania, His Beatitude John, was enthroned on Saturday at the \u201cResurrection of the Lord\u201d 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Commitment to Sacrificial Ministry<\/h3>\n

In his enthronement address, His Beatitude Archbishop John expressed<\/a> deep gratitude to God and to all those who contributed to the revival of the Orthodox Church in Albania.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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 \u201cin spirit and truth.”<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

Message from the Patriarch of Romania<\/h2>\n

On this occasion, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel sent a message<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

Ecumenical Patriarch’s message<\/h1>\n

The Ecumenical Patriarchate delegated Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon to participate in the enthronement ceremony and convey Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s message of congratulations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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,\u201d His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew conveyed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMay God grant you, Your Beatitude, wisdom and strength for many years of fruitful and blessed shepherding,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n

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Photo: president.al<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Manifestation of Solidarity<\/h2>\n

The Romanian Orthodox Church was represented by His Eminence Archbishop Nifon of T\u00e2rgovi\u0219te, Honorary Metropolitan and Patriarchal Exarch. The delegation also included Archdeacon Nicolae Iftimiu, Director of the Basilica News Agency.<\/p>\n

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His Beatitude Archbishop John, together with the members of the Romanian Orthodox Church delegation present at the enthronement ceremony: His Eminence Archbishop Nifon of T\u00e2rgovi\u0219te, Honorary Metropolitan and Patriarchal Exarch, and Archdeacon Nicolae Iftimiu, director of Basilica.ro. Photo: Church of Albania \/ Antonio Poshnjari<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cParticipation in the enthronement of the Primate of an Autocephalous Orthodox Church carries not only a formal significance, but an ecclesiological one\u2014that is, one of faith,\u201d His Eminence Hon Metropolitan Nifon told Basilica.ro.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Representatives of the sister Orthodox Churches present at the enthronement ceremony. Photo: Church of Albania \/ Antonio Poshnjari<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Message from the President of Albania<\/h2>\n

The event was also attended by the President of the Republic of Albania, His Excellency Bajram Begaj, who offered a message of congratulations<\/a> to the new Archbishop, wishing him to be a leader who builds bridges, promotes coexistence, and strengthens faith.<\/p>\n

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The President of the Republic of Albania, His Excellency Bajram Begaj. Photo: president.al<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cMay 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!\u201d \u2013 wished the President of the Republic.<\/p>\n