"Let us live a spiritual life"/ Archbishop Joan leads the Divine Liturgy at St. George's Cathedral in Boston

2026-03-09 19:14:00, Aktualitet CNA

"Let us live a spiritual life"/ Archbishop Joan leads the Divine

On March 8, 2026, His Beatitude, Joan, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, led the Divine Liturgy at St. George’s Cathedral in Boston, one of the most important centers of spiritual life for the Albanian Orthodox community in the United States of America. Archbishop Joan’s visit was a special event for the many Albanian believers of the diaspora, gathered from Boston and the surrounding areas.

"Let us live a spiritual life"/ Archbishop Joan leads the Divine

His Beatitude was received with honors by His Grace, Nikodim, Bishop of the Albanian Orthodox Church in Boston. The two hierarchs celebrated the Divine Liturgy together, giving living testimony to the unity and continuity of the liturgical and ecclesiastical tradition of the Albanian Orthodox Church both in the homeland and in the diaspora. This day had another special significance, because it coincided with the anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood of Bishop Theofan Noli, the founder of this church and one of the most prominent figures in the history of the Church and the Albanian nation. The commemoration of this historic moment was an occasion to reflect on his role in the establishment of Albanian ecclesiastical life in America and in the efforts to preserve the spiritual and cultural identity of the Albanian community in exile.

"Let us live a spiritual life"/ Archbishop Joan leads the Divine

In his address to the faithful, Archbishop Joan commemorated the 118th anniversary of the ordination of Bishop Theofan Noli to the priesthood, emphasizing the historical and spiritual importance of this figure for the Albanian Orthodox Church. He emphasized that Noli's activity remains an example of devotion to the Church, a model of service to the people and the effort to build bridges of understanding and unity. The best commemoration of all those who have contributed to the Church, he emphasized, is to live a life according to Orthodox teaching.

"To have a spiritual life, because unfortunately for us, spiritual life has been lost in today's world. People do not cultivate a daily spiritual life. One day in church, on Sunday, is not enough; a daily spiritual life is needed. Spiritual life is very simple: a daily spiritual effort to live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. If we try to live in this way, we will begin to know our true selves and, through humility, we will benefit from the grace of God, through which all things are accomplished," His Beatitude states.

At the end of his speech, Archbishop Joan thanked all those present, wishing that the Cathedral of Saint George will be a spiritual center for all people, both for Albanians and for members of every nation.

"Let us live a spiritual life"/ Archbishop Joan leads the Divine

His Eminence Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada, through his letter, greeted Archbishop Joan, welcoming him to the United States of America and expressing his joy at the concelebration of the Divine Liturgy with one of the bishops of the diocese, His Grace, Nikodim. May this concelebration, he emphasized, be a sign and model for ever-deepening ties between the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania and the Orthodox Church in America and may it serve as a prelude to a meeting and concelebration with Archbishop Joan.

After the Holy Services, His Grace, Bishop Nikodim, served a fraternal lunch for all present. In this warm community atmosphere, the faithful shared greetings, memories, and reflections on the history of this church and the strong spiritual ties that unite the Albanian Orthodox community in Boston.

"Let us live a spiritual life"/ Archbishop Joan leads the Divine

Also, those present brought back special memories of when Archbishop Joan served in this community and organized the "Fan Noli" library, while he was a student at Holy Cross Theological Seminary in Boston. This period is an important part of the community's memory and an example of giving for each of its members. These memories emphasized the continuity of ties between the Church in Albania and the diaspora communities, as well as the importance of preserving the Albanian spiritual and cultural heritage in exile.

Archbishop Joan's visit and the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on this day constitute an important moment for the church life of the Albanian Orthodox community in Boston, reinforcing the sense of unity, historical memory, and commitment to the Church's mission in service to the faithful. /CNA