Historic Election: Holy Synod Names First Albanian Archbishop in 30 Years

The Holy Synod elected Metropolitan John of Korçë as the new Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and all Albania, marking the first Albanian appointment in over 30 years. The election took place after a Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, celebrated with joy by the congregation. Archbishop John expressed his commitment to his duties and the Church during his acceptance speech. His upcoming enthronement ceremony is anticipated to draw representatives from 13 Orthodox Churches and many believers.

The Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania has elected Metropolitan John of Korçë as the new Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and all Albania, following the death of Archbishop Anastasios on January 25. This election is significant as John is the first Albanian cleric to be appointed to this position in over 30 years, a momentous occasion for the Albanian Orthodox community.

The election was conducted after the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tirana; attendees filled the cathedral and its courtyard, expressing their joy by praising and declaring “Axios!” (Worthy!). Following the announcement, church bells across Albania rang knowingly in celebration of Archbishop John’s election, as reported by Capital.

In a heartfelt message to his congregation, Archbishop John stated his commitment to fulfilling his duties with respect for holy tradition and the rights of the Church. “With humility, obeying the divine will, I accept this high service and promise that I will faithfully fulfill my duty,” he articulated, as noted by the Associated Press.

The enthronement ceremony for Archbishop John will take place on March 29 at the Orthodox Cathedral in Tirana, where representatives from 13 sister Orthodox Churches and numerous believers are expected to gather, as confirmed by Shqiptarja.

Archbishop John, born Fatmir Pelushi in 1956 in Korçë, has a rich history of faith and service. During Albania’s dictatorship, he worked clandestinely to practice his faith and was secretly baptized amidst religious oppression. After the communist regime’s collapse, he moved to the United States to further his theological studies.

Having returned to Albania at Archbishop Anastasios’ invitation, John played a pivotal role in the restoration of the Orthodox Church, serving in various capacities, including teaching and administration. He became Metropolitan of Korçë in 1998 and served in this role for 27 years before being elected Archbishop.

John has been instrumental in enhancing theological education in Albania, translating significant works and authoring the first official Dogmatics text in the Albanian language. He founded the influential magazine Tempulli, which showcases contributions from notable intellectuals in the field of Albanology.

His dedication to fostering interfaith dialogue, cultural education, and coexistence has also gained him numerous accolades, including being named an Honorary Citizen of Korça District and receiving an Honorary Doctor title from the University of Korçë in 2018.

Father Nikolla Kodheli, an Orthodox Cathedral priest, expressed the importance of this appointment, stating, “The Church found its father; there is no house without a father. Today the Church, with unanimous voting, all members entrusted their vote to His Beatitude, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and all Albania, His Grace John.”

This historic election highlights the continued growth and unification of the Albanian Orthodox Church under the leadership of Archbishop John, signaling a new chapter in its development and service to the community.

The recent election of Metropolitan John as the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and all Albania marks a significant moment for the Albanian Orthodox Church, culminating over three decades without an Albanian leader. Archbishop John brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his new role, with a legacy of contributions to theology, culture, and charity. His enthronement ceremony will highlight the support of the Orthodox community and reflect the promise of revitalization within the Church.

Original Source: www.jpost.com