Archbishop Joan: Cooperation between the Church and Science is not a new phenomenon, reason and religion, side by side

2025-12-05 10:54:00, Aktualitet CNA

Archbishop Joan: Cooperation between the Church and Science is not a new

At the first international scientific conference "Albania in the Byzantine Period", Archbishop Joan delivered a profound and reflective speech on the importance of this fact and the influence of Byzantine civilization in shaping Albanian identity.

The Archbishop emphasized that the conference marks an important step in the study of our common heritage, while assessing the choice of topic as extremely important, as the papers that will be presented will enrich knowledge about a historical period that is still understudied.

His Beatitude John emphasized that Byzantium was not simply a political empire but a civilization that shaped the spiritual, cultural and artistic identity of the peoples of the Balkans.

The Archbishop underlined that this centuries-old heritage has left an indelible legacy in the psycho-cultural formation of our people and that without knowing the psycho-cultural formation of a people, a better and deeper understanding of historical events becomes difficult. In this history, our ancestors were not simply passive recipients but active contributors.

The Archbishop mentioned Saint John Kukuzel, son of Durrës, who was a reformer of Byzantine music and is revered by the entire church. His Beatitude John said that the Church has historically been a bridge between East and West, between the past and the present, between faith and culture.

The Archbishop said that cooperation between the church and science is not a new phenomenon, since since the time of the fathers, religion and reason have been side by side.

The Church remains ready to contribute its archives, manuscripts, and expertise to the study of this very important period of our people.

"This first International Scientific Conference marks an important step in the study of our common heritage. The choice of the topic Albania in the Byzantine period is exceptionally important because the papers of this conference will be a wonderful source of information about the culture of our country in this not so well-known historical period."

Promoting our rich heritage also helps preserve our identity, the evidence of the acceptance of civilization and culture in this country, and our historical memory.

Byzantium was not a political empire, it was an entire civilization that shaped the spiritual, cultural and artistic identity of the peoples of the Balkans.

This centuries-old heritage has left an indelible legacy in the psycho-cultural formation of our people.

Without knowledge of the psycho-cultural formation of a people, a better and deeper understanding of historical events becomes difficult.

In this history, our ancestors were not simply passive recipients but active contributors.

It is enough to mention Saint John Kukuzel, son of Durrës, who was a reformer of Byzantine music and is revered by the entire church. The church has historically been a bridge between East and West, between past and present, between faith and culture.

Our Gothic churches, our Byzantine frescoes, our thousand-year-old monasteries all testify to a spiritual continuity that transcends political changes.

Today, after decades of isolation and persecution, the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania continues this historic mission. More than 150 churches and monasteries have been restored, the Byzantine musical tradition is being reborn, and the new generation is discovering the spiritual heritage of their ancestors. Our Saint John Kukuzeli Choir symbolizes the living connection.

The collaboration between the church and science is not a new phenomenon. Since the time of the fathers, religion and reason have gone hand in hand.

This conference continues this just and honorable tradition. The Church remains ready to contribute its archives, manuscripts, and expertise to the study of this very important period of our people.

"We hope that the conference proceedings will shed new light on our shared history and inspire future generations," said Archbishop Joan./ CNA