The new Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania is being elected today.
The successor to the late Archbishop Anastasios, who served for more than 30 years, will be decided by the Holy Synod of the Church of Albania.
The process will take place at the Synodal Center following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, in accordance with the provisions of the statutes of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania.
The Holy Synod will cast votes to elect the next Archbishop of Albania, choosing from among the following candidates: Metropolitan Ioannis of Korça (who has been serving as locum tenens of the Archdiocese following the passing of the late Archbishop Anastasios), Metropolitan Astios of Berat, Metropolitan Nikolaos of Apollonia, Metropolitan Antonios of Elbasan, Metropolitan Dimitrios of Gjirokastra, Metropolitan Nathaniel of Amantia, and Bishop Anastasios of Kruja.
As stated on the official website of the Church of Albania, the statutes outline the election process for the new Archbishop as follows:
The election of Hierarchs (Archbishop, Metropolitans, and Bishops) in the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania is conducted by the Holy Synod in accordance with the Holy Canons.
The Clergy-Laity Ecclesiastical Council proposes candidates for ordination to the episcopal rank, and the Holy Synod ultimately elects one of them.
Candidates for the episcopacy must meet the qualifications outlined in the Canons of the Church, be graduates of the Theological Academy “Resurrection” or another Orthodox theological school of university level, and have lived and worked in Albania for at least three years.
Additionally, Bishops of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania must hold Albanian citizenship. However, in special cases, an exception may be granted following a decision by both the Clergy-Laity Ecclesiastical Council and the Holy Synod.
The ordination of Hierarchs in the Church of Albania requires the participation of at least three Bishops. If the number of surviving Bishops is insufficient to meet the requirements set by the sacred canons, assistance from the Ecumenical Patriarchate may be requested.
