His Beatitude, John: We come from the land of Illyricum, where the Apostle Paul sowed the seed of the Gospel

2025-06-14 14:02:00, Aktualitet CNA

His Beatitude, John: We come from the land of Illyricum, where the Apostle Paul

The Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania, Joan, was received today by His Holiness, the Ecumenical Patriarch, Mr. Bartholomew, in Constantinople together with his delegation.

His Beatitude, John, delivered a speech with strong messages, in which he emphasizes between the lines: "We come from the land of Illyricum, where the Apostle Paul spread the seed of the Gospel, as he himself testifies: 'from Jerusalem and around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the gospel of Christ' (Rom. 15:19). The ancient Egnatia Road, the ruins of which are preserved to this day in our country, which started from Durrës, ended in the Queen of Cities. It was a famous road artery that transported goods, people, cultural goods, ideas and teachings. Through this road the Apostle of the Nations also reached us, bringing the gospel of grace and truth, making our church apostolic."

Archbishop Joan stated that being at the historic headquarters of the venerable Ecumenical Patriarchate, they feel filled with feelings of gratitude for the generous invitation and heartfelt welcome, along with spiritual reverence for the long crucifixion-resurrection journey of the Church of Constantinople.

His Beatitude, John: We come from the land of Illyricum, where the Apostle Paul

His Beatitude, Joan, underlined that the venerable Ecumenical Patriarchate, by its position and mission, contributed usefully to the journey of the Orthodox Church of Albania through decisive actions during the past 20th century.

Among other things, Archbishop Joan emphasized that the coordinating role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is important for preserving unity for all sister Orthodox Churches, for the witness of Orthodoxy and the radiance of its truth in the turbulent contemporary world.

Archbishop Joan's full message

The response of His Beatitude, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania, Monsignor Joan, during his reception by His Patriarchal Holiness, the Ecumenical Patriarch, Mr. Bartholomew.

His Holiness, Most Divine, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, a very beloved and dear brother and fellow priest in Christ God,

Mr. Bartholomew,

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit... and they were all of one mind” (Acts 2:4,1).

On this closing day of the feast of Pentecost, as the Church celebrates the descent of the All-Holy and Life-Giving Spirit, as well as its 'birthday', the delegation of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania has the honor of visiting the Great Church of Christ, expressing warm thanks for the generous invitation. The same Spirit who descended like tongues of fire, who nourishes the church in the mysteries and makes it the body of Christ, gathers us today "together, in one mind", to confess the same faith in the Triadic God.

This present peaceful visit of a newly elected Orthodox Primate, as is customary, constitutes the first to the sister local Orthodox Churches, starting with respect from the venerable Ecumenical Throne, which holds the privileges of honor among the Autocephalous Orthodox Churches. Therefore, we come to express our sincere brotherly love.

We come from the land of Illyricum, where the Apostle Paul spread the seed of the Gospel, as he himself testifies: "from Jerusalem and around as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ" (Rom. 15:19). The ancient Egnatia Road, the ruins of which are preserved to this day in our country, which started from Durrës, ended in the Queen of Cities. It was a famous road artery that transported goods, people, cultural goods, ideas and teachings. Through this road the Apostle of the Nations also reached us, bringing the gospel of grace and truth, making our church apostolic.

Being at the historic seat of the venerable Ecumenical Patriarchate, we are filled with feelings of gratitude for your generous invitation and heartfelt welcome, along with spiritual reverence for the long crucifixion-resurrection journey of the Church of Constantinople.

His Beatitude, John: We come from the land of Illyricum, where the Apostle Paul

The venerable Ecumenical Patriarchate, by her position and mission, contributed usefully to the journey of the Orthodox Church of Albania through decisive actions during the past 20th century. First, through the granting of Autocephaly on April 12, 1937. With wisdom and foresight, she granted the Church of Albania the right of self-government, so that as a distinct ecclesiastical entity within the family of Orthodox Churches it could exercise the administration and pastoral care of the ecclesiastical body within the borders of the national state. This action proved prophetic and salutary during the dark years that followed, beginning with the persecution against the church in 1945 and culminating in the most ruthless manner in the years 1967-1990. Albania was then declared the first atheist state in the world. 1,608 churches and monasteries were destroyed, clergy were imprisoned or executed, and all religious expression was banned. But the Holy Spirit kept the faith alive in the hearts of the believers, who prayed and were baptized in secret. My Modesty was one of them.

Secondly, through the initiative of the Mother Church inspired by the tireless care for the local Orthodox Churches in difficulty, she offered in 1991 the most suitable internationally recognized Orthodox Hierarch, Bishop Anastas of Andrusa. This paternal gift was not simply an inspired choice, but also an essential indication of love not only for the Church of Albania, but also for Albanian society more broadly. Bishop Anastas, initially sent as Patriarchal Exarch in 1991 and duly elected Archbishop in 1992, with the grace of God rebuilt our Church from the ruins. Today, 34 years after the methodical and laborious reconstruction, the Church of Albania is living a new apostolic period. More than 160 new churches have been built, 5 holy monasteries have been revived, the Theological Academy "Resurrection of Christ" educates young clergy, and the LOGOS University College offers young people academic education of high standards.

His Beatitude, John: We come from the land of Illyricum, where the Apostle Paul

Your Holiness, you have visited our country again and we know well that you surround the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania with paternal love and prayer. We are also convinced that the coordinating role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is important for the preservation of unity for all sister Orthodox Churches, for the witness of Orthodoxy and the radiance of its truth in the turbulent contemporary world.

From the depths of our hearts, we pray and ask that our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen Your Holiness, for the continuation of your lofty and multifaceted work.

At the Holy Lantern, June 14, 2025

Dear brother in Christ

of Your Holiness,

John