Date of enthronement of the new primate of the Albanian Church announced
Metropolitan Ioannis of Korça – the New Primate of the Albanian Church. Photo: UOJ
On March 16, 2025, a session of the Holy Synod of the Albanian Orthodox Church took place in Tirana, during which the new Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania was elected.
Following the voting process, Metropolitan Ioannis (Pelushi) of Korça was elected to this high office.
The official announcement of the election results, signed by the members of the Synod, states:
“We, the hierarchs constituting the Holy Synod, gathered today, March 16, at the Synodal Center in Tirana under the chairmanship of His Eminence Metropolitan Ioannis of Korça, acting as the guardian of the Primate’s throne. Invoking the Holy Spirit and guided by the sacred canons and the Statutes of the Autocephalous Albanian Church, we have cast our canonical votes at the Holy Altar and have elected Metropolitan Ioannis of Korça as the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania.
In this blessed moment, we proclaim him as our First Hierarch, teacher, and spiritual guide.”
The document was signed by Metropolitan Ioannis of Korça (acting as the guardian of the Primate’s throne), Metropolitan Demetrius of Gjirokastër, Metropolitan Nicholas of Apollonia and Fier, Metropolitan Anthony of Elbasan, Metropolitan Asti of Berat, Metropolitan Nathaniel of Amantia, and Bishop Anastasios of Krujë.
The solemn enthronement of the newly elected Archbishop will take place on March 29, 2025, at the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Tirana.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Metropolitan Ioannis of Korça had been elected as the new Primate of the Albanian Church.
Read also
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.