Metropolitan Ioannis of Korçë was unanimously elected as the new Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania.
Today, on the Second Sunday of Great Lent, March 16, 2025, following the Divine Liturgy, the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania convened at the Synodical Center in Tirana to elect the new Archbishop, in accordance with Holy Tradition and the Statutes of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania.
After prayer, the members of the Holy Synod, chaired by the Locum Tenens of the Archdiocesan Throne, Metropolitan Ioannis of Korçë, unanimously voted to elect the successor of the late Archbishop Anastasios.
Metropolitan Ioannis of Korçë was thus elected Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania and Primate of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania.
Following the election, the Formal Election Announcement (Mega Minima) service was held at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, where the Holy Synod publicly announced the decision, signed by all its members: the Metropolitans of Korçë, Gjirokastër, Apollonia and Fier, Elbasan, Berat, Amadia, and Bishop of Kruja.
A crowd of believers, filling the interior of the church and the courtyard, joyfully praised God, exclaiming “Worthy” for the newly elected Primate of the Church of Albania. The new Archbishop Ioannis then read the Mega Minima and signed it at the Holy Altar, officially confirming his acceptance of the high office.
The enthronement of the new Primate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania is expected to take place on March 29.
A close associate of the late Archbishop Anastasios for 32 years, 27 of which as Metropolitan of Korçë, the newly elected Archbishop Ioannis was distinguished for his pastoral work, his contribution to the reconstruction of the Church, the cultivation of theological education, and the strengthening of the Church’s charitable activities.
Excelling in his theological studies in the United States, he later returned to Albania to aid in the restoration of the Church of Albania. Since 1993, he has served as a Professor at the Theological Academy of Durrës, a translator of numerous theological texts, and the author of the first Dogmatics textbook in the Albanian language.
He founded the magazine “Tempulli” (Temple), represented the Church in inter-Orthodox and inter-Christian meetings, and has been awarded distinguished titles for his contributions to culture, education, and interreligious dialogue.
