Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop of Albania to celebrate joint liturgy

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and Archbishop Joan of Albania. Photo: Orthodoxia News Agency

On May 17, 2026, a joint Liturgy of Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Joan of Albania will take place at the Church of St. Theodore of Malakopi in Cappadocia. This was reported by Orthodoxia News Agency.

The joint service will be held as part of a pilgrimage to the holy land of Cappadocia, planned for May 16–18 after permission was granted by the Turkish authorities. Representatives of the Orthodox Churches of Constantinople and Albania will take part in the pilgrimage.

According to the published communiqué, on May 16, Patriarch Bartholomew will preside over Great Vespers at the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen in Mustafapaşa. The following day, a joint Liturgy of the two Primates will be held at the Church of St. Theodore of Malakopi in Derinkuyu.

The Patriarchate’s statement notes that the service will begin on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and continue until 12:30 p.m. Four bishops will also take part in the service together with Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Joan.

The pilgrimage to Cappadocia will be one of the major events of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2026 and will take place at historic Christian shrines of Asia Minor.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Patriarch Bartholomew discussed contemporary challenges with the head of the Church of Greece.

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