Enthronement of the Metropolitan of Korça, Anastasios/ Attendees and speeches delivered

2025-09-27 19:18:00, Aktualitet CNA

Enthronement of the Metropolitan of Korça, Anastasios/ Attendees and

Today, starting at 11:00, the Enthronement ceremony of the Metropolitan of Korça, His Grace Anastas, took place at the "Resurrection of Christ" Cathedral in Korça.

Present at the ceremony was His Beatitude, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania, Joan. During his speech, His Beatitude gave strong messages. Part of his speech was dedicated to Korça as the city of culture, the cradle of education, as the center of spiritual resistance where the National Renaissance was born and the first Albanian school was opened.

Archbishop Joan emphasized that today, as in our entire country, Korça faces major challenges such as the massive emigration of young people, the aging of the population, economic difficulties, the influence of secularism, the loss of traditional values, and the weakening of the family, which is the pillar of having a healthy and functional society.

The Archbishop expressed his belief that the Metropolitan of Korça, Anastas, will find creative answers to all the aforementioned challenges.

“ In difficult moments, remember the simplicity and piety of Father Cosmas, the humility and patience of His Grace Ignatius, the wisdom and love of Archbishop Anastasius in his unparalleled work in rebuilding our Church from the ruins. But especially remember the words of the Apostle: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13), for without Christ we can do nothing (Jn. 15:5).

You are not alone - behind you stands our entire Church, the Holy Synod, the venerable clergy and hundreds of thousands of believers who will pray for you. Always remember that God's grace has been given to you and that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and wisdom (2 Tim. 1:7). Together we will continue the sacred task entrusted to us.

"May the Metropolis flourish under your leadership! May Korça become a center of spiritual radiance for our entire country, a model for the entire Orthodox world ," His Beatitude expressed.

Also present at the Enthronement ceremony of the Metropolitan of Korça, His Grace Anastasius, were members of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church.

On September 16, 2025, the Graceful Synod of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, under the leadership of His Beatitude Joan, elected His Grace Anastasios as Metropolitan of Korça. Previously, His Grace was Bishop of Kruja.

The Metropolitan of Korça, Anastasius, gave his first speech today after the Enthronement ceremony. His Grace Anastasius said that the Enthronement is an event of the church, a new stone placed in the living temple of the body of Christ. He emphasized that this place that is being entrusted to him is not his, but God's.

“ Dear Fathers, my closest collaborators in the vineyard of the Lord, you are the daily voice of the Church; your presence is felt in every neighborhood, every village and every home. Through you the Gospel is preached, the mysteries are celebrated, and the people of God are nourished with holy grace. You are the hands with which Christ blesses, the smile with which the Good Shepherd comforts, and the heart with which he gathers His sheep. Without you, every word of mine would be empty, every effort would remain fruitless. For this, I thank you with all my heart for everything you have done to date ,” said Metropolitan of Korça, Anastasios.

Also present was Father Mihal Senellari, of the Metropolis of Korça. In his speech, Father Mihali said that this is a holy day for the Metropolis and His Grace Anastas is handed the pastoral staff to judge with love.

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, a holy day for our Metropolis. On behalf of the people, we give you this pastoral staff to judge with love," said Father Mihali./ CNA