The First Salutations to the Theotokos were celebrated in the Orthodox Church of Albania with the participation of numerous faithful, particularly young people. In parishes and monasteries, the icon of the Virgin Mary was adorned, and hymns were chanted before it. At the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Tirana, where…| Orthodox Times (en)
The joyful message of the incarnation of the Son of God was celebrated festively by the Orthodox Church of Albania. Metropolitan Nathaniel of Amantia officiated at the Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Tirana, which for many years served as the Cathedral of the city. Orthodox faithful from…| Orthodox Times (en)
In an atmosphere of deep emotion, a memorial service for the late Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania was held today, Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tirana. Metropolitan Ioannis of Korçë presided over the Divine Liturgy and the memorial service,…| Orthodox Times (en)
By Fr. Elias Makos The great Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was celebrated with ecclesiastical grandeur throughout Albania, from Tirana to Gjirokastra, bringing together clergy and faithful in a spirit of deep reverence and unity. At the Church of the Transfiguration in Tirana, located…| Orthodox Times (en)
By Fr. Ilias Makos Metropolitan Ignatios of Demetrias paid a visit to Archbishop Ioannis of Albania in Tirana, where the two hierarchs held a cordial and meaningful meeting and discussion. Metropolitan Ignatios was accompanied by staff members and collaborators from his Metropolis’ summer camp programs. The Orthodox Church of Albania,…| Orthodox Times (en)
Today, Archbishop Ioannis of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania welcomed a delegation from the Russian Orthodox Church. The delegation was led by Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Russian Church's Department of External Church Relations. The delegation also included Protopresbyter Nikolai Balashov and Protopresbyter Igor Yakimchuk. Representing the Church…| Orthodox Times (en)
By Fr. Ilias Makos Archbishop Ioannis of Albania underlined the importance of interfaith coexistence and the need for religious communities and the state in Albania to maintain open dialogue in order to strengthen security and social peace in the country. His remarks came during a recent meeting with the Governor…| Orthodox Times (en)
With solemnity and deep emotion, the city of Vlora and the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania commemorated yesterday the 25th anniversary of the repose of Bishop of Apollonia, late Kosmas Qirjo, a distinguished spiritual figure and a steadfast hero of the Orthodox faith during the most difficult years of the…| Orthodox Times (en)
In an atmosphere of heartfelt emotion and reverence, the fortieth-day memorial for the late Metropolitan Dimitrios of Gjirokastër was solemnly held on Sunday, August 3, at the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Gjirokastër. His legacy was honored with the message that he will remain unforgettable — a hierarch who passed…| Orthodox Times (en)
The Interreligious Council of Albania, comprising Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania; the leader of the Albanian Sunni Muslim Community of Albania Bujar Spahiu; the president of the Albanian Catholic Bishops’ Conference and current Council president for 2025, Gjergj Meta; the head of the Bektashi Order Edmond Brahimaj;…| Orthodox Times (en)
The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania has announced that on Sunday, August 3, 2025, following the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Gjirokastër, a 40-day memorial service will be held in honor of the late Metropolitan Dimitrios of Gjirokastër. In an official statement shared…| Orthodox Times (en)
The Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation of Albania, Blendi Gonxhja, visited today Archbishop John of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania. During the meeting, issues related to the economic independence of the Church and the support of its missionary activities were discussed. The protection of cultural heritage and monumental sites,…| Orthodox Times (en)
On Monday, 16 June 2025, the newly elected Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania, John, paid an official visit to the Sacred Theological School of Halki, as part of his peaceful visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He was accompanied by Metropolitan Nicholas of Apollonia and Fier, Metropolitan Astios of…| Orthodox Times (en)
The Monastery of Saint John Vladimir in Elbasan, Albania, celebrated over the two days of June 3rd and 4th. Many faithful people participated, coming from various regions of Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and other places. The faithful had the opportunity to venerate the relic of Saint John Vladimir. On Tuesday, June…| Orthodox Times (en)
The Church of Albania organized a symposium at the Cultural Center of the Resurrection Cathedral to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council. Among those present and speaking at the event were the Orthodox Archbishop Ioannis of Albania, accompanied by Metropolitan Antonios of Elbasan, Metropolitan Astios of Berat,…| Orthodox Times (en)
On May 18, 2025, the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania held a heartfelt graduation ceremony at the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Tirana, honoring the graduating classes of 2021–2023 and 2022–2024 from the School of Byzantine Music. The event took place with the blessing of Archbishop Ioannis and under the…| Orthodox Times (en)
With solemn grandeur and deep spiritual reverence, a festive hierarchical concelebration was held today at the Church of the Resurrection in Tirana, marking the feast of Saint George the Great Martyr and Trophy-Bearer. The Divine Liturgy was presided over by Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania, joined in…| Orthodox Times (en)
On Sunday, May 4, 2025, the Monastery of Saint Vlash in Albania hosted a festal Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women. The service was led by Archbishop John of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania, marking his first official pastoral visit to this revered monastery.…| Orthodox Times (en)
Archbishop Ioannis of Albania, accompanied by Bishop Anastasios of Krujë, was in the Vatican for the funeral mass for Pope Francis, representing the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania. The leaders of the other religious communities of Albania, who together with the Orthodox Church form the Interreligious Council of Albania, also…| Orthodox Times (en)
Today, May 8, the Orthodox Church in Albania commemorates the memory of Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist, the beloved disciple of Christ. Although the official name day of Archbishop Joan (Ioannis) of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania is celebrated on September 26—marking the Feast of the Repose of Saint…| Orthodox Times (en)
By Fr. Elias Makos On June 1, 2025, the Orthodox Church of Albania commemorated the 11th anniversary of the consecration of the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Tirana, a landmark event that originally took place on June 1, 2014—twenty-two years after the election of the late Archbishop Anastasios of blessed…| Orthodox Times (en)
Metropolitan Ioannis of Korçë was elected by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania as the new Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania following the election process that took place on Sunday morning. The enthronement of the new Primate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania…| Orthodox Times (en)
On Sunday, February 2, 2025, the Sunday of the Presentation, the nine-day memorial service was held at the Ressurection Cathedral in Tirana. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, a memorial service was held at the Church of the Resurrection, officiated by the Locum Tenens of the Archdiocese of Albania,…| Orthodox Times (en)
A memorial service was held Wednesday evening before the body of the late Archbishop Anastasios of Albania by Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem and Archbishop George of Cyprus. Senior hierarchs and clergy from around the world continue to arrive at the Holy Cathedral of the Resurrection of…| Orthodox Times (en)
By Efi Efthimiou Since the passing of the late Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, much has been said about his remarkable legacy and unparalleled contributions to the Orthodox Church and the nation he shepherded. His Funeral Service was attended by Church Primates, clergy, political leaders, and laypeople, all paying their respects…| Orthodox Times (en)
The condition of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania remains critical following emergency surgery to address a severe bleeding episode. The Archbishop underwent the procedure yesterday and was subsequently transferred to the ICU for further care. "The next 48 hours are considered critical," stated a medical bulletin released yesterday. On Friday afternoon,…| Orthodox Times (en)
By Fr. Elias Makos Archbishop Anastasios of the Orthodox Church of Albania met with the leader of the Bektashi community in Albania, Edmond Brahimaj, in a very cordial atmosphere. During the meeting, prompted by recent international developments, the continued commitment of Albania's religious communities to counteract divisive rhetoric and confront…| Orthodox Times (en)