On June 8, 2026, Archbishop Ioannis of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, together with Metropolitan Anastas of Korçë, the clergy of the holy Archbishopre Protopresbyter Spiro Topanxha, Fr. Viktor Bërdufi, and Archdeacon Johan, officiated the Service of the Blessing of the Holy Water (Agiasmos) and the blessing of the new school building under construction near the Church of the Annunciation in Tirana.
Also present at the service were Metropolitan Nikola of Apollonia and Fier, Bishop Ignat of Amantia, Mr. Andi Rëmbeci, Director of the “Spirit of Love” Foundation, as well as teachers, parents, and students.
In his address, Archbishop Ioannis stated:
“Today is a day of great joy, as we lay the foundations of a school that is of great importance.
First of all, I would like to thank Archbishop Anastasios for his vision in establishing schools.
I would also like to thank Metropolitan Anastas of Korçë, who devoted considerable time to preparing the necessary documentation, overseeing numerous procedures related to obtaining the construction permit, handling payments, and attending to all the requirements necessary for the realization of this project.
I would like to express my gratitude to all the workers who labored diligently and completed this phase in record time, as well as to Engineer Andrea, who has consistently supported and supervised this project.
I would like to mention two points from the Holy Scripture that we heard today.
First, Saint Paul writes: ‘I laid the foundation, and others built upon it,’ demonstrating that the Church is marked by an unbroken continuity.
Secondly, there is the parable in which the Lord speaks of the wise man who built his house upon the rock and the foolish man who built upon the sand. What does this mean for us? What does it mean to build upon the rock?
To build upon the rock means to build upon the values that stem from the teaching of our Lord. If we build upon this foundation, everything will undoubtedly prosper, because a school is not merely a place of knowledge, important though knowledge may be. A school is also a place where character is formed and where values are cultivated. For if people acquire knowledge without values, that knowledge can often become harmful both to themselves and to society.
I pray that this building may be established upon the Rock, which is Christ, and that all of you may enjoy success in this school: the students, the teachers, and the entire Church.
Thank you all, and congratulations on this day, which marks an important milestone in our educational mission, providing another much-needed school facility for students, teachers, and parents.
Many congratulations and many blessed years!”
The ceremony concluded with the chanting of the Dismissal Hymn of Pentecost and with prayers and wishes for the successful completion of this project, which is expected to further enrich the educational and social ministry of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania.
Source: Church of Albania, media.ngjallja.org
