In a deeply moving and spiritually uplifting atmosphere, the Orthodox Church of Albania celebrates this year’s Holy Pascha—Christianity’s greatest feast—amid a profound transition: the first Pascha in decades without the physical presence of the late Archbishop Anastasios, whose leadership revitalized the Church across Albania.
His successor, Archbishop Ioannis of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania, issued his first Paschal encyclical, offering a message rich in theological depth, hope, and resurrectional joy. At its heart, the Archbishop proclaims: “The Resurrection of Christ is not merely a historical event, but a living reality that transforms our lives.”
A Victory Over Death
“Pascha is the remembrance of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and the foundational truth of our faith and our lives,” Archbishop Ioannis writes. Quoting St. Paul, he notes, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is in vain and so is your faith” (1 Cor. 15:14)—affirming that only through the Resurrection has humanity found its true meaning. “The victory over death is a universal triumph for all peoples and all generations,” he continues. “Unlike all other victories in history that divide people, the Resurrection brings joy to all. Everyone should rejoice, for death—our common enemy—has been defeated.”
Referencing the late Archbishop Anastasios, he adds: “This Pascha, we do not have with us our beloved Archbishop Anastasios. But our hearts are comforted, knowing he now intercedes for us before the Lord.” In Christ, “death is not the end, but the beginning of a new life.”
Hope Amid Suffering
Acknowledging the injustices, wars, and suffering in today’s world, Archbishop Ioannis emphasizes that spiritual darkness remains humanity’s greatest challenge. “Selfishness and greed poison relationships. Alienation and isolation prevail. But the greater the darkness, the more we need the light.”
He calls all faithful to participate in the Paschal joy: “Only when we truly experience the saving light of the Resurrection does our existence find fulfillment. His love is stronger than hatred, His life is stronger than death, and our hope in Christ is stronger than despair.”
Transformation Through Love
The Archbishop reminds the faithful that the Resurrection calls for transformed human relationships: “We were created as social beings, destined to live in communion. Respect for the dignity of every human being, especially the vulnerable, must shape our lives.” While healing and sacrifice may be difficult, “if we do not experience the pain of the Cross, we will not know the joy of the Resurrection.”
Quoting the Church’s Paschal hymn, he urges: “Run and proclaim to the world: the Lord is risen, having destroyed death!” and concludes by invoking Saint Gregory the Theologian: “Let us embrace one another. Let us forgive everything in the light of the Resurrection, and cry out: Christ is Risen!”
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
