Metropolitan John of Korçë has been elected as the Archbishop of Tirana, marking a historic moment as the first Albanian cleric in over thirty years. His enthronement ceremony is scheduled for March 29, with an emphasis on his commitment to uphold church traditions and promote interfaith dialogue. His background includes significant contributions to theological education and cultural development in Albania.
The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania’s Holy Synod has elected Metropolitan John of Korçë as the new Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and all Albania, following the death of Archbishop Anastasios on January 25. This election is momentous as it marks the appointment of the first Albanian cleric to this position in over thirty years.
Taking place after the Divine Liturgy at Tirana’s Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, the election was accompanied by the vibrant support of Orthodox believers, who celebrated by proclaiming “Axios!” (Worthy!). The sound of church bells joyfully rang across Albania, commemorating this significant event, as reported by Capital.
In a respectful address to the congregation, Archbishop John expressed his commitment: “With humility, obeying the divine will, I accept this high service and promise that I will faithfully fulfill my duty. I will respect the holy tradition and will strive with all my strength to defend the rights of the Church.” His comments were reported by the Associated Press.
The enthronement ceremony of Archbishop John is scheduled for March 29 at the Orthodox Cathedral in Tirana, with expected attendance from representatives of thirteen sister Orthodox Churches and numerous congregants, as confirmed by Shqiptarja.
Born in 1956 in Korçë, Archbishop John, also known as Fatmir Pelushi, has a rich history, having been secretly baptized in 1979 during a time of severe persecution. He eventually studied theology in the United States after the collapse of the communist regime in 1990, earning distinctions, including a Master’s degree in Theological Studies in 1993.
Upon returning to Albania, Archbishop John was invited by Archbishop Anastasios to assist in reconstructing the Orthodox Church. He was ordained a deacon and priest in 1994, later becoming the Metropolitan of Korçë in 1998, where he served diligently for 27 years.
Throughout his tenure, Archbishop John has made significant contributions to theological education, serving as a lecturer and dean at the Theological Academy. He has translated multiple theological works into Albanian and authored key texts for the Orthodox Church in Albania.
In addition to academic achievements, he founded the magazine Tempulli in 2000, which has become crucial in the fields of Albanology and culture, featuring contributions from esteemed intellectuals, as noted by Panorama.
Archbishop John’s initiatives promoting interfaith dialogue and education have earned him accolades, including being named an Honorary Citizen of the Korça District and receiving an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Korçë in 2018.
As Father Nikolla Kodheli remarked, “The Church found its father; there is no house without a father.” This sentiment reflects the invaluable role Archbishop John is expected to play in guiding the Church as its new leader.
The election of Metropolitan John of Korçë as the Archbishop of Tirana is a pivotal event, marking the first Albanian to hold this title in over thirty years. His commitment to upholding traditions, advancing theological education, and promoting interfaith dialogue positions him as a significant leader for the Albanian Orthodox community. The upcoming enthronement ceremony on March 29 symbolizes a new chapter for the Church under his guidance.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
