Second day in Brussels/ Archbishop Joan attends important meetings in European institutions

2026-01-14 21:26:00, Aktualitet CNA

Second day in Brussels/ Archbishop Joan attends important meetings in European

The Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, His Eminence, Bishop Joani, held a series of important meetings in Brussels today, as part of his visit to European institutions.

Second day in Brussels/ Archbishop Joan attends important meetings in European

Archbishop Joan met with Ferit Hoxha, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as Permanent Representative to the Political and Security Committee. The meeting discussed important issues related to Albania's European journey and the negotiation chapters that remain to be closed. Special attention was paid to the chapter that deals with relations with religious communities, especially issues of the status of properties and their property rights.

Second day in Brussels/ Archbishop Joan attends important meetings in European

Afterwards, His Beatitude Ioannis was received by His Excellency Mr. Ioannis Vrailas, Permanent Representative of Greece to the European Union. Ambassador Vrailas emphasized his unwavering support for the Orthodox Church of Albania, from the time of the late Archbishop Anastasios to the worthy successor of His Beatitude Archbishop Ioannis. He assured that religious communities and their religious properties will always be a priority on the path of Albania’s membership in the European Union.

Second day in Brussels/ Archbishop Joan attends important meetings in European

In the evening, the solemn event on the theme "The Life, Work, and Legacy of the Late Archbishop Anastasios" took place at the European Parliament. His Beatitude, Archbishop Joani, delivered the keynote speech, in which he honored the rare personality of the late Archbishop Anastasios.

In his speech, he praised the distinguished figure of his predecessor, who came to Albania in 1991, when the Orthodox Church was almost destroyed after five decades of savage persecution by the communist regime. With extraordinary vision, love and sacrifice, Archbishop Anastas managed to revive the Church from the ashes, building hundreds of churches, opening schools, hospitals and social centers, and forming a new generation of clergy and believers. /CNA