On the evening of Thursday, 23rd October 2025, the Minister for Internal Affairs for the Parliament of Albania, Ms Elisa Spiropali, visited the Patriarchate, accompanied by the Ambassador of Albania to Israel, Ms Mary Koumbi, and her collaborators.
Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos, warmly received the Minister. Mrs Spiropali thanked Patriarch Theophilos for having sealed her day’s diplomatic activities with this visit to Him.
Patriarch Theophilos thanked her for the visit, outlining to her the work being carried out by the Patriarchate – pastoral, cultural, and educational – within the framework of the multi-layered status quo of Jerusalem and its jurisdiction extending to Gaza, where the Patriarchate maintains the Holy Monastery of Saint Porphyrios, in which very significant humanitarian work is performed.
Patriarch Theophilos also referred to his own visit to Albania for the Consecration of the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Tirana, a project of the late Archbishop of Albania, Anastasios, and for his participation in the funeral service.
Thanking Patriarch Theophilos for this visit, Her Excellency the Minister departed to visit the Holy Sepulchre.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
