Archbishop Ioannis of Albania celebrated his name day on Saturday, September 26, 2026, on the feast of the Repose of the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian.
The Archbishop presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Resurrection Cathedral in Tirana, concelebrating with all members of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Albania.
Among those present were Metropolitan Nicholas of Apollonia and Fier, Metropolitan Anthony of Elbasan, Metropolitan Astios of Berat, Metropolitan Nathanael of Gjirokastër, Metropolitan Anastasios of Korçë and Bishop Ignatios of Amantia, along with several priests.
Metropolitan Nicholas of Fier addressed the Archbishop, offering his best wishes and praying that he would continue to shepherd the Church of Albania with divine enlightenment.
In his address, Archbishop Joan reflected on the life and personality of the Apostle and Evangelist John, encouraging the faithful to follow his example and cultivate their spiritual lives.
Following the Divine Liturgy, numerous faithful, including many young people, offered their congratulations to the Archbishop. He also received telephone greetings from Albania’s political leadership and other religious leaders.
Archbishop Ioannis recalled his spiritual journey and meeting with Archbishop Anastasios
During the difficult years of state-imposed atheism in Albania, Archbishop Ioannis experienced a profound sense of God’s presence in his life, which led him to embrace the Orthodox faith and receive baptism.
A decisive moment in his spiritual journey was his first meeting in the United States with the then Metropolitan Anastasios of Androusa, who would later become Archbishop of Albania.
Recalling that encounter, Archbishop Joan has said:
“When I was a student at the Theological School in America and was participating in a project to organize the Fan Noli Library, Anastasios, who was then Patriarchal Exarch, came to attend a seminar and invited me to meet him.”
“When I told him that I intended to return to Albania after completing my studies, he was very pleased. In 1992, I spent a month in Albania and attended his enthronement. In 1993, I returned permanently, initially working as a professor at the Theological Seminary in Durrës.”
The encounter proved instrumental in shaping his subsequent priestly ministry and his contribution to the restoration of the Orthodox Church in Albania.
By Fr. Ilias Makos
