Archbishop Ioannis chosen as person of year 2025 in Albania
In an open online vote, participants selected a leader from among Albania’s most influential figures.
In December 2025, in Albania, the results of an online vote named Archbishop Ioannis, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, as Person of the Year 2025, Orthodoxia News Agency reports.
The Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church received 32% of the vote, taking first place among 12 candidates. Around 10,000 users took part in the voting.
It is noted that the initiative did not come from the Albanian Orthodox Church and is a public online project run by a secular outlet devoted to political and social events in the country. In selecting nominees, the organizers considered public authority, contribution to the life of the country, and influence on key processes in Albanian society.
Second place in the vote went to Altin Dumani, head and chief prosecutor of the Special Structure for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime, who received 28% of the vote. Third was Sylvinho, head coach of Albania’s national football team, who received 8%.
Archbishop Ioannis was elected Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church on March 16, 2025, succeeding the late Archbishop Anastasios.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Albanian Archbishop discussed with the Pope the restoration of peace in global hotspots.
