10th Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Grace Andoni/ Message from Archbishop Joan: Peace is within us

2026-04-17 19:00:00, Aktualitet CNA

10th Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Grace Andoni/ Message from

Holy services were celebrated today at the Church of Saint Nicholas in Elbasan on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Enthronement of His Grace, Metropolitan Andon, as head of the Metropolis of Elbasan, Shpat and Librazhd. This special day was honored by the presence of His Beatitude, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, Bishop Joan, who led the Divine Mass.

In his speech, Metropolitan Andon expressed deep gratitude for the presence of Archbishop Joan, describing it as a special blessing for this anniversary. He also commemorated all those who contributed to the reestablishment of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, especially the late Archbishop Anastasios and his associates, who faced numerous challenges in a difficult period for the faith in the country.

“The work of God did not stop,” Metropolitan Andon emphasized, underlining that the fruits of this effort are visible today in church life, in the community of believers and in the ministry of the clergy. He also praised the figure of Archbishop Joan, emphasizing his role as a dedicated and direct spiritual leader, who has profoundly influenced his formation.

"Living faith is not transmitted through books or screens, but through experience and closeness," he said, adding that he had the privilege of learning from the wisdom and dedication of Archbishop Joan.

For his part, Archbishop Joani of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania described this anniversary as a moment of reflection and responsibility. He emphasized the importance of historical memory as a means of moving forward, recalling the suffering of the Church during the atheistic period and its extraordinary resurgence in the following years.

Focusing on the city of Elbasan, he praised its rich spiritual heritage and the role that this city should play in the church life of the country. The Archbishop called for unity among believers, emphasizing that unity is a source of strength and development.

“The Orthodox Church preaches love, understanding and respect for every person, without exception,” he said. “Every person is precious in the eyes of God, and peace begins within us.”

In conclusion, Archbishop Joan expressed his belief that the Diocese of Elbasan has a bright future, congratulating Metropolitan Andon for the work and dedication shown during these ten years, in a terrain that is not easy, but full of challenges and opportunities.

Archbishop Joan's full message

I thank the Metropolitan of Elbasan for the warm words. An anniversary is always a great joy, because it is an occasion for reflection, to look back and thus have the opportunity to move forward. This is an ancient saying that only people who look back have the chance to move forward.

This means learning from history, because history is a very good teacher for each of us. You all know that the church here in our country went through a very terrible Calvary, so much so that the Church was almost destroyed. Few people would believe that the Church would be rebuilt again; but what is impossible for men is possible for God. God chose special people to do this work. We always repeat this, because we must always be grateful for the great work that Archbishop Anastasios has done in all these years.

In the city of Elbasan, a historic city with an extremely ancient and very strong ecclesiastical tradition, several events occurred that we wish had not happened, but we believe that they will be resolved very soon.

Elbasan should remain at the forefront of Christianity in Albania not only because of its great traditions, but also because of the large participation of Orthodox Christians in this city, who, united, will be a very great force. The Orthodox Church is a blessing for our country and for every city, because it is a Church that always preaches love, understanding, and respect for every person, whoever they may be.

We try to have respect even for the people who attack us, because we believe that every person, without exception, is created in the image of God. In all people there is the image of God. The Church teaches us to be able to see this very image in people and not to see the various distortions or resentments that that person may have. Every person is valuable in the eyes of God (See Isa.43:4).

And this is an extraordinary lesson. If this lesson spreads, there will be peace between people and peace everywhere, because peace has been broken. Peace is not made from the outside, but from within. The more we are at peace with ourselves within ourselves, the more we are at peace with others. That is why I have hope that the diocese of Elbasan will have a much better future.

I want to congratulate the Metropolitan of Elbasan, Andoni, for his work during these 10 years, which have not been easy. The terrain was not very easy. But if we stand in God, everything can be realized. As the Lord says in Revelation that I am He who opens and no one shuts; He who shuts and no one opens (See Rev. 3:7). And the Lord has opened this door of our Church. Now it is our duty to make it flourish even more and make the city of Elbasan an example for the entire Orthodox Church in Albania.

Let us understand something that I constantly repeat from the words of Saint Paul, not mine: The analogy that he makes for the Church. He sees the Church as a body of all together and makes its analogy with the human body. If the hand hurts, the body hurts; if the eye hurts, the whole body hurts. If the foot hurts or the whole body hurts, we are not separate parts, we are one Church. If the Church flourishes in a place, it is a joy for each of us. If it suffers in a place, then the whole body of the Church suffers. Therefore, we have always been with soul and heart close to the city of Elbasan, so that it can once again have the flourishing that it has had for centuries.

I sincerely hope that God will enlighten us all and give this city the splendor it deserves. And that the Orthodox Church will give a very good testimony of cooperation with all other people, even when we have different opinions, even when we have different beliefs, because it is possible for people to live in peace if they respect each other. Respect for other beings is not a privilege, but a right that God has given to every person, every human being who is created in the image of God.

I praise God for all that He has done for our Church and I wish once again that the Orthodox Church in this city will have a bright future for its own good and for the good of all. Amen.

Christ is Risen, Truly Risen!