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On Saturday, June 14, 2025, Archbishop Ioannis of Tirana, Durres, and All Albania was officially received at the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, within the framework of the brotherly relations between the two churches.
At 10:30 a.m., Archbishop Ioannis, accompanied by his delegation, departed from the hotel towards the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, escorted by Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna, and Grand Archdeacon Hieronymus.
At 11:00 a.m., at the entrance of the Patriarchate, Archbishop Joan and his delegation were welcomed with honors by Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, members of the patriarchal court, as well as clergy from the Archdiocese of Constantinople and the Metropolises of Chalcedon, Derkoi, and Prinkipos.
A Doxology was held at the patriarchal church of St. George, led by Archbishop Ioannis, in the presence of Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, who is also the Chairman of the Commission for Inter-Orthodox Relations.
Subsequently, the official welcome ceremony was held in the Throne Room by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. After the Ecumenical Patriarch’s greeting and warm speech, Archbishop Ioannis delivered his address, emphasizing the importance of Orthodox unity and mutual cooperation.
Archbishop of Albania: The Ecumenical Patriarchate is vital for the unity of the Orthodox Churches
Addressing Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, he highlighted, among other things, two of the key blessings the Ecumenical Patriarchate has bestowed upon the Church of Albania, which irrevocably shaped its course:
“First, the granting of Autocephaly on April 12, 1937. With wisdom and foresight, the Ecumenical Patriarchate bestowed upon the Church of Albania the right to self-governance, enabling it—as a distinguished ecclesiastical entity within the family of Orthodox Churches—to administer and shepherd the faithful within the borders of the national state. This decisive act proved prophetic and life-saving during the dark years that followed, starting with the persecution of the Church in 1945, which escalated brutally from 1967 to 1990.
Second, the Mother Church’s initiative—driven by tireless care for the struggling local Orthodox Churches—to send us in 1991 the world’s most suitable Orthodox hierarch, Bishop Anastasios of Androussa. This paternal gift was not only an inspired choice but also a profound expression of love not only for the Church of Albania but for Albanian society as a whole. Bishop Anastasios, initially sent as Patriarchal Exarch in 1991 and canonically elected Archbishop in 1992, by the grace of God rebuilt our Church from its ruins.
Today, 34 years after this methodical and laborious reconstruction, the Church of Albania is experiencing a new apostolic era. More than 160 new churches have been built, five holy monasteries have been revived, the Resurrection of Christ Theological Academy educates new clergy, and the Orthodox University College Logos offers high-standard academic education.”
And he concluded, saying: “Your All-Holiness, you recently visited our country, and we know well that you surround the Orthodox Church of Albania with paternal love and prayer. We are also convinced that the coordinating role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is vital for maintaining unity among all the Orthodox sister Churches, for the witness of Orthodoxy, and for the radiance of its truth in today’s tumultuous world.”
