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Brief biography of His Grace Joan Pelushi, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania

2025-03-16 13:58:00, Sociale CNA

Brief biography of His Grace Joan Pelushi, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and

The Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania, Bishop Joan Pelushi, was born in Tirana on 02.01.1956. Already in his early youth, during the most savage time of religious persecution, he was secretly baptized by the hero priest, later the bishop of Apollonia, Mr. Kozma Qirio, becoming part of a small group of the underground church. In the years 1979-1990 he worked at the Tirana Psychiatric Hospital, in the rehabilitation pavilion through occupational therapy. In 1990 he left Albania for the USA where he studied theology at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston, USA, where he graduated with “High Distinction” in MTS (Master of Theological Studies) in 1993. As early as 1992, driven by the desire to contribute to the reconstruction of the Church, he contacted Archbishop Anastasios and presented his decision to return to Albania, at a time when everyone wanted to leave the country. This desire and this decision were received with joy by the Archbishop, who encouraged and congratulated him. In September of that year he returned to Albania and began working as a lecturer at the Theological Academy of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania.

On February 27, 1994, he was ordained a deacon and on December 4, a priest, continuing to teach at the Theological Academy. In 1995, he went back to pursue further studies at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston, USA. For his high results in the 1995-1996 academic season, he was on the National Dean's List, where the names of the best students from all universities in the United States of America are written. In 1996, he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. In 1997, he graduated again with "High Distinction" in MT (Master of Theology, an advanced master's degree, equivalent to a candidate of sciences) also at Holy Cross, Boston. He returned to Albania where he was appointed dean of the Theological Academy of the Orthodox Church, a position he held from 1996 to 1998, until he was appointed Metropolitan.

In 1998 he was elected and consecrated bishop, as Metropolitan of Korça, continuing to be a lecturer at the Theological Academy. He has prepared Dogmatics texts and translated many books, as well as published many articles in foreign and domestic newspapers, magazines and scholarly periodicals. In addition to his native Albanian, he speaks English, French, Italian, Greek and has knowledge of Latin and Hebrew.

He has translated several theological books into Albanian, including difficult translations from the church fathers, such as “On the Holy Spirit” by Basil the Great, a book that is fundamental in the development of Christian doctrine. The contribution of these translations is in the formation, unification and definition of philosophical-religious terminology, because there were deficiencies in Albanian literature in this field. The contribution of Bishop Joan Pelushi in the field of terminology has been appreciated by domestic and foreign scholars. Joan Pelushi wrote the first text of Dogmatics in Albanian, a text that is used as the official publication of the Orthodox Church in Albania.

In 2000, he founded and continues to direct the periodical “Tempulli”, which has now become one of the most serious journals in the field of study and culture, where the most renowned intellectuals, researchers and Albanologists participate, both from Albania and abroad. He is not only the head of the editorial board of the journal, but also one of the main contributors to its writings. The range of writings is wide: in the fields of culture, translations, science, archaeology, philosophy, theology, history, art criticism, prominent figures of the country and the cultural history of our country, the region and beyond.

He has represented the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania in many international meetings, as a speaker and as a participant in the groups drafting various texts, declarations and messages. He has represented the World Orthodox Church at a high level in many working groups of the World Council of Churches and was one of the members of the important working group (Joint Working Group) with a five-year mandate for drafting cooperation between the World Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic Church. He has also represented the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania at a high level in important international conferences and meetings, as a speaker and as a representative. He also represented the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, for almost a decade, in drafting very important documents for the preparation of the Great and Holy Synod, which was held in June 2016, in Crete.

It continues to represent with dignity the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania in the very important dialogue between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as between the Orthodox and Oriental Churches.

He has been invited as a lecturer at dozens of national and international conferences, making a great contribution especially in the fields of theology, history and philosophy. He is invited to many places, including universities, theological schools, seminaries, international meetings, both Christian and interfaith, for various lectures. He has been honored with various medals and orders from many Orthodox Churches in the world.

He makes a great contribution to the social and humanitarian life of the city of Korça, both in the academic and cultural fields, as well as in the humanities. He is often invited for lectures and talks at the University of Korça and other important schools in the region. With his initiative, a canteen was opened to help people in need every day, which has been operating for 27 years. His contribution is not only in the cultural, scientific and humanitarian fields of the Korça region, but also in strengthening coexistence, interfaith dialogue and patriotic education.

For these outstanding contributions, he was honored by being proclaimed on 23.07.2003 "Honorary Citizen of Korça Region" with the motivation "For outstanding contribution to the cultivation of tolerance and religious understanding. Scientist, publisher, translator of theological books in Albanian. Helper in the emancipation and civic brotherhood for the Korça Region and beyond." On 18.08.2008, he was proclaimed "Honorary Citizen" by the Municipal Council of the city of Korça with the motivation "For outstanding merits for the revival of faith as well as for numerous works in the human and social field."

On 23.07.2018, the "Fan S. Noli" University of Korça awarded him the title "Doctor Honoris Causa" with the motivation: "Outstanding personality of the spiritual and religious world, great humanist, translator, founder of the periodical "Tempulli", providing outstanding contributions in the fields of culture, archaeology, philosophy, theology, history, Albanology, etc.; close collaborator and friend of the "Fan S. Noli" University, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of his enthronement as Metropolitan of Korça".

On 29.05.2019, the Municipality of Tirana awarded him a Certificate of Appreciation with the motivation: As a value of national and international proportions, as the most exemplary example of promoting peace, harmony and religious coexistence. Endless respect and gratitude for all his outstanding contribution in serving the community and people in need.

On March 16, 2025, His Beatitude, Metropolitan of Korça, Mr. Joan, was elected by unanimous vote Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania, succeeding the late Archbishop Anastasios./ CNA