Albanian Primate congratulates Patriarch Bartholomew on anniversary
The Primate of the Albanian Church noted the ministry of the Patriarch of Constantinople and his support for the revival of Orthodoxy in Albania.
The Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church Archbishop John addressed congratulations to Patriarch Bartholomew on the Greek island of Imvros. The hierarch concelebrated with the Ecumenical Patriarch alongside the Primate of the Alexandrian Church during the Liturgy marking the 65th anniversary of his diaconal ordination. This was reported by the Union of Orthodox Journalists in Albania.
"The priesthood is indeed exercised on earth, but it belongs to the order of heavenly things," Archbishop John quoted Saint John Chrysostom. "Therefore its weight cannot be measured by human standards." In his address, the Albanian Primate recalled that over the years of his ministry Patriarch Bartholomew organized the Council of Crete, resumed services in Cappadocia, and opened Greek schools on Imvros.
Archbishop John then gave special attention to the history of the revival of the Albanian Church following the period of state atheism. During that critical time, the Patriarchate of Constantinople sent the late Archbishop Anastasios to Albania as Patriarchal Exarch.
"The Church of Albania endured persecution and devastation and seemed dead, but it did not die," Archbishop John testified. "Churches and monasteries were closed, plundered or destroyed, and worship was banned by law." It was precisely the labors of Archbishop Anastasios that laid the foundation for the restoration of an autocephalous Church in the country.
Archbishop John stated that the faithful of Albania are ready to promote peace and the unity of Orthodoxy. "The place we wish to occupy is the place of Aaron and Hur," the Albanian Primate emphasized. "When Moses' hands grew heavy, they supported them on both sides." According to the Archbishop, this is the position of those who support and work for the reconciliation of the Church.
As the Union of Orthodox Journalists previously reported, the Primates of Constantinople and Albania made a pilgrimage together.
