March 16, 2026 marks one year since the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania elected Archbishop Ioannis of Albania as Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania.
At the time of his election, he was serving as Metropolitan of Korçë. He succeeded the late Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, whose long pastoral ministry played a decisive role in the revival of the Orthodox Church in Albania after the fall of communism.
Election by the Holy Synod
The election took place on March 16, 2025, during a meeting of the Holy Synod held at the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Tirana, immediately after the Divine Liturgy.
Addressing the faithful who proclaimed “Axios” (“Worthy”), the newly elected Primate said he accepted the responsibility with humility and obedience to the will of God.
“I will respect the sacred Tradition and strive with all my strength to defend the rights of the Church,” he stated.
Enthronement and Beginning of His Ministry
The enthronement of Archbishop Ioannis took place on March 29, 2025, at the Resurrection Cathedral in Tirana. The ceremony was attended by delegations from several Autocephalous Orthodox Churches, state officials, and a large number of faithful.
The event had a strong pan-Orthodox character and symbolized the continuation of the Church’s mission in Albania following the historic pastoral leadership of Archbishop Anastasios.
Visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate
On June 14, 2025, Archbishop Ioannis paid an official visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople at the Phanar, where he was received by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.
During the visit, the importance of unity and cooperation among the Orthodox Churches was emphasized, particularly during a period marked by global conflicts and crises.
In his address following the concelebrated Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of All Saints, Patriarch Bartholomew noted that cooperation and unity among Orthodox Churches are especially necessary at a time when the world is shaken by wars and humanitarian tragedies. He also called on political leaders to demonstrate restraint and work toward dialogue and peace, especially in regions facing escalating tensions such as the Middle East.
Presence in the Orthodox Diaspora
On the Sunday of Orthodoxy, March 1, 2026, Archbishop Ioannis presided over a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church in Braintree, Massachusetts.
The service was concelebrated with Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and other hierarchs.
At the end of the service, Archbishop Ioannis stressed the importance of visible unity among Orthodox Christians.
“The world needs to see us together—we need a visible unity. In our hearts we are united, but we must also show it,” he said.
© PHOTOS: GANP/Dimitrios Panagos
A Year of Pastoral Service
One year after his election, Archbishop Ioannis continues his pastoral ministry with a focus on strengthening the unity of the Church, deepening the spiritual life of the faithful, and strengthening the presence of Orthodoxy in the contemporary world.
His leadership builds upon the foundations laid by his predecessor, Archbishop Anastasios, whose legacy continues to shape the life and mission of the Orthodox Church in Albania. 
