The ceremony will be attended by delegations from Autocephalous Orthodox Churches, representatives of various Orthodox Churches, and officials from the governments of Albania, Greece, and other countries.

Prior to the enthronement, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will be held, concelebrated by members of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania.

The Church of Greece and Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece will be represented by Metropolitan Ioustinos of Nea Krini and Kalamaria. Representing the Greek government, Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias and Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports Sofia Zacharaki have traveled to the Albanian capital.

Archbishop Ioannis is the second Archbishop of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania since the fall of the communist regime and the first Albanian Archbishop since 1967.

Thirty-three years after the enthronement of the late Archbishop Anastasios, the 69-year-old Archbishop Ioannis is called to continue the path set by his predecessor and spiritual mentor, with the support of the members of the Holy Synod of the Church of Albania, including Metropolitan Dimitrios of Gjirokastër, Metropolitan Nikolaos of Apollonia and Fier, Metropolitan Antonios of Elbasan, Metropolitan Astios of Berat, Vlora, and Kanina, Metropolitan Nathanael of Amantia, and Bishop Anastasios of Krujë.

Who is the New Archbishop?

Archbishop Ioannis, born Fatmir Pelushi in 1956 in Korçë, served as Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church there following his enthronement in 1998.

In interviews, he has revealed that during the years of religious persecution in atheist Albania, he developed an interest in religious matters. In 1975, he was introduced to Christianity through a French copy of the New Testament, given to him by a friend under the pretense of learning French. His spiritual search led him to the Central Library of Tirana, where he secretly borrowed books on various religions.

His next step, which was dangerous for both him and his family in the severely repressive Albania, was joining a secret Christian group that held meetings in different homes in Korçë. His baptism was also conducted in secret by Father Kosmas, and he took the name Ioannis.

After the fall of the communist regime, he had the opportunity to study at the Holy Cross Orthodox Theological School in Boston, on a scholarship established by the Albanian community in America in memory of Bishop Fan Noli. He graduated in 1993.

At that time, the late Archbishop Anastasios had already begun the restoration of the Orthodox Church in Albania. At his invitation, Ioannis returned to assist in this important work. In 1994, he was ordained a deacon and later that same year, a priest by Archbishop Anastasios.

With a master’s degree in Theological Studies, the new Archbishop served as a lecturer and dean at the Theological Academy of the Albanian Orthodox Church. In 1996, he was appointed director of the Theological School in Durrës and was simultaneously elevated to the rank of archimandrite.

On July 18, 1998, he was elected Metropolitan of Korçë and was enthroned a few days later.