A message of congratulations to Archbishop Ioannis of Tirana and All Albania on his election as Primate of the Orthodox Church of Albania was sent by the Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Patriarchate of Moscow, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk.
In his first official communication with the newly elected Primate of the Orthodox Church of Albania, Metropolitan Anthony did not hesitate to promote the interests of the Patriarchate of Moscow.
Specifically, in his letter, Metropolitan Anthony expressed his hope that Archbishop Ioannis and “the Holy Church of Albania will remain steadfast in holding firm canonical positions and will continue to support the persecuted Orthodox Christians in Ukraine”.
Those who congratulated the new Primate of the Church of Albania spoke warmly of his work and wished him strength and enlightenment for the good of the Church of Albania.
However, Metropolitan Anthony did not stop with the formal congratulations. Even before the enthronement of the new Archbishop of Albania, he made sure to convey his message to Archbishop Ioannis, making it clear that he expects him to “adapt” to the sphere of influence of the Moscow Patriarchate.
In particular, Metropolitan Anthony states in his message:
Your Beatitude,
Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your well-deserved election to the ancient throne of the Orthodox Church of Albania.
With gratitude to God, I would like to note that you, as a faithful disciple and closest collaborator of the late and venerable Archbishop Anastasios – who was esteemed throughout the Orthodox world – have been placed in this high office of the Church, having had the honor of standing beside him as a builder and witness of the miraculous resurrection of the Church of Albania.
It is significant that after the death of His Beatitude, the Church has chosen you to continue his mission, relying on your vast pastoral, theological and episcopal experience in building up the Body of Christ.
The Russian Orthodox Church remembers you well and holds you in great affection from your visit in 2013 when you participated in the celebration of the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’.
With your election, we hope that the Holy Church of Albania will continue to stand steadfastly on firm canonical positions, will continue to support the persecuted Orthodox Christians in Ukraine, and that the sister local Churches will together maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We assure you of our prayers and sincere support.
I wish you the almighty help of God in the difficult task that lies ahead of you, as well as the protection of all the saints who have shone in the land of Albania. May you have peace, health, salvation and success in all things for many years to come.
