Archbishop Ioannis of Tirana, Durres and All Albania, 69, was enthroned on Saturday at the filled-to-capacity Orthodox Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tirana.

In his enthronement speech, Archbishop Ioannis expressed his gratitude to all who contributed to the progress of the Church of Albania, all of whom kept their faith, ethnic identity and language. He made special mention of his predecessors Theofanis Noli and Archbishop Anastasios, “who not only managed to rebuild its walls and physical infrastructure, but focused his efforts on a church where God is worshipped ‘in spirit and in truth.”

Archbishop Ioannis is only the second prelate to hold the leadership of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church in Albania following the fall of the communist regime, and the first Archbishop to be born and raised in Albania since 1967. Ioannis is called on to assume the archdiocese 30 years after the enthronement of the late and much-loved Archbishop Anastasios, who died recently.

Attending the event establishing the new leader of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania were delegates from Autocephalous Orhodox Churches, representatives of Orthodox Churches, and officials of the Albanian, Greek, and other governments.

The Church of Greece and Archbishop Hieronymos of Ahens and All Greece were represented by Metropolitan Ioustinos of Nea Krini and Kalamaria, while the Greek government was represented by National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias and Education, Religion, and Sports Minister Sofia Zacharaki.

Source: Ekathimerini.com