Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: Archbishop Joan with virtues, knowledge and devotion to the Albanian Church

2025-06-15 21:11:00, Aktualitet CNA

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: Archbishop Joan with virtues, knowledge and

On Sunday, June 15, 2025, during the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Patriarchal Church of Saint George in Phanar, the Ecumenical Patriarch, His All Holiness, Mr. Bartholomew, addressed a greeting and deeply symbolic speech to the new Archbishop of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, His Beatitude, Ioannis.

At the beginning of his speech, the Patriarch emphasized the importance of welcoming Archbishop Ioan and his delegation.

"We welcome with all respect and deep brotherly love the new Archbishop of the Holy Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, His Beatitude, Joan, and His selected delegation. In His honorable face we embrace the entire believing people of our sister Orthodox Church of Albania," said the Patriarch, appreciating the unbroken connection of the Church of Albania with the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Bartholomew praised the growth of the Church in Albania, like many other Churches in the Balkans and Europe.

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. You have not come to a foreign land, but have returned to your own, to the home of your spiritual Mother Church, to the place where the Church of Albania itself grew up as a chosen and beloved daughter, like many other Churches of the Balkans and Europe," continued Bartholomew, underlining this visit with welcoming warmth.

His Holiness mentioned Archbishop Ioan's long and deep connection with the late Archbishop Anastasios.

"We have known you, His Beatitude, for many years as the most trusted and valued collaborator of your late predecessor, the unforgettable and inimitable Archbishop Anastasios, the new Apostle of Albania," said Bartholomew.

An important moment of the Patriarch's speech was the appreciation of the contribution of the Orthodox Church of Albania to the Great and Holy Orthodox Synod in Crete, in 2016, where Archbishop Anastasios, together with Bishop Ioannis and other hierarchs, illuminated with their presence and contributed decisively to the success of the Synod's proceedings.

With rich symbolic and inspiring language, the Patriarch also mentioned the return of spiritual spring in Albania after the long winter of the atheist regime, using the words: “Glory to God, winter has finally passed, the downpour has left, flowers have appeared on the land of saints, martyrs and counterparts of the faith, who celebrate today together with all the Saints.”

Appreciating the 33-year work of Archbishop Anastasios, the Patriarch said that it is already measured with golden scales by history: for thirty-three years he revived, built and strengthened the Church through ecclesiastical, spiritual, academic, philanthropic, educational, inter-church, inter-religious and, undoubtedly, apostolic works. The legacy that the late Archbishop Anastasios has left is great and heavy, but bright and glorious.

Focusing on the personal qualities of His Beatitude, Patriarch Bartholomew spoke with conviction about the virtues with which God has generously endowed Archbishop John for the continuation of his work for the Church.

"God has generously endowed you with virtues: with courage and nobility, with honesty and dedication, with deep knowledge, with theological and spiritual formation, with intelligence and unquenchable zeal, with devout loyalty to the church order and with sacrificial love for your people, for your fellow bishops and collaborators, for your blessed homeland," said the Patriarch.

In conclusion, he guaranteed fraternal support from the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

"From our side, Fortlumturi, you will have fraternal support, sincere cooperation, and a ready helping hand for everything you will need."

Bartholomew also emphasized that in inter-Orthodox and inter-church issues, as well as in dealing with the global needs of contemporary man, there will be cordial cooperation.

The Patriarch's speech ended with an important call to church work.

"We have the obligation to give a convincing testimony before all, those near and far, that the Gospel of Christ is the true content of our hearts and of our personal and ecclesial lives," Patriarch Bartholomew said./CNA