ECCLESIOLOGY AND CANONICAL ORDER: REFLECTIONS ON THE PEACEFUL VISIT OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF ALBANIA TO THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

Photo: Nikos Papachristou
By Ioannis Lótsios, Ph.D., Post Doc.

This article examines the peaceful visit of Archbishop John of Albania to the Ecumenical Patriarchate (June 13–15, 2025) as a landmark ecclesiological and theological event[1]. It analyzes the key addresses delivered by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop John, emphasizing themes of Orthodox unity, canonical order, spiritual resilience under communist persecution, and the decisive role of the Mother Church in the post-totalitarian reconstruction of the Albanian Orthodox Church. Focus is given to the legacy of the late Archbishop Anastasios and the significance of the 1937 Autocephaly. Through liturgical and patristic language, the article reflects on the relationship between ecclesial identity, historical memory, and the Holy Spirit's guidance in preserving the apostolic faith.

 

1. Introduction: A Historic and Theological Visit

The official and peaceful visit of His Eminence John, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and all Albania, to the Ecumenical Patriarchate from June 13 to June 15, 2025, constitutes an event of multiple dimensions, historical, theological, and spiritual. This visit was not limited to a formal dialogue or a simple meeting. Rather, it represented a profound ecclesiological and spiritual declaration regarding the unity and canonical integrity of Orthodoxy, as well as the renaissance of the Albanian Church after decades of persecution and oppression.

This study aims to explore the multifaceted significance of this historic visit through an analysis of the two principal speeches: those of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop John. The theological depth and historical significance of these addresses reveal not only the historical continuity of the Albanian Church but also the living presence of the Holy Spirit in its journey.  Archbishop John’s visit sends a powerful message of brotherhood and ecclesiastical cohesion, affirming the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as Mother Church and guardian of Orthodox tradition. Ecclesiastical unity, canonical order, the memory of the martyrs, and the hope of the Resurrection form the theological framework of the visit, within which the Albanian Church emerges as a living organism of faith and witness.

 

The Ecumenical Patriarch’s Address: Martyrdom, Continuity, and Unity

The speech delivered by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on June 14, 2025, during Archbishop John’s visit, stands as a remarkable ecclesiastical and spiritual text, rich in theological, historical, and pastoral meanings. From the outset, the Patriarch gives the speech a solemn yet celebratory tone, employing the expression: “We all celebrate a feast” — a phrase that underscores that this gathering is not merely official but festive and liturgical in nature. It is a “Eucharistic feast,” acknowledging martyrdom, continuity, and the unity of the Church. The Patriarch intimately links the concepts of “martyrdom,” “witness,” “humility,” and “glory” with the patristic understanding of the Church as the Body of Christ that bears both the Cross and the Glory of the Resurrection.¹ He extensively references the martyrdom endured by the Orthodox Church in Albania, highlighting figures such as Hieromartyrs Astius and Eleftherios, Cosmas of Aetolia, and Dimitrios Bedoulis as bright points in the ecclesiastical firmament of the country. This reference serves the patristic paradigm of the “cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 12:1), i.e., the spiritual milieu in which the Church lives and testifies. Simultaneously, the Ecumenical Patriarch refers to the historical attempt to sever the Albanian Church from canonical unity with Orthodoxy, notably mentioning the so-called “Council of Karlowitz,” which geopolitically attempted to detach the Albanian Church from the life-giving core of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.³ The biblical image of the “gates of Hades” (Matt. 16:18) is spiritually employed as a symbol of the forces that threaten the unity and catholicity of the Church. With emotive and poetic language, the Patriarch describes the devastation caused by the communist regime in Albania, where Orthodoxy was “cast into the depths of Hades,” yet the flame of faith did not extinguish thanks to the “hidden” servants of the altar. Special mention is made of Bishop Cosmas, who baptized the newly elected Archbishop John and stood as one of the martyric pillars maintaining apostolic tradition in a spiritual wasteland.

The theological and pastoral weight of the speech centers on the late Archbishop Anastasius, whom the Patriarch characterizes as an “immaculate sacrifice,” “myrrh of resurrection,” “sun of freedom,” and “good angel” of the Albanian Church, Through rhetorical references to the Old Testament (e.g., Abraham and the tent scene) and patristic terminology, the magnitude of his pastoral and spiritual work is exalted. The image of Anastasius as a shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep (John 10:11) lends the speech a gospel-grounded character.

The reconstruction of the Cathedral of the Resurrection in the heart of Tirana, along with the erection of dozens of churches throughout Albania, are visible signs of rebirth from spiritual death. The Ecumenical Patriarch’s speech is not merely a compliment to the new Primate of the Albanian Church but a profound theological, pastoral, and historical text expressing the nature of the Church, its testimony throughout time, the hope of the Resurrection, and the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as the spiritual guardian of Orthodox tradition. At the same time, it functions as an ecclesiological testimony to unity, canonical order, and the uninterrupted presence of Orthodoxy, especially in places of martyrdom such as Albania.

 

Archbishop of Albania’s Address: Resurrection, Renewal, and Ecclesial Witness

 

The speech of Archbishop John, delivered on June 14, 2025, is a profound ecclesiological and pastoral testimony that complements and deepens the themes expressed by the Ecumenical Patriarch. It reflects the lived reality of the Albanian Orthodox Church as it emerges from decades of persecution and reaffirms its canonical and spiritual unity with the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Archbishop John begins with a tone of humble gratitude, thanking the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for the warm reception and fraternal support, emphasizing the essential role of the Mother Church in the spiritual and canonical life of Albania. This humility echoes the classical Orthodox understanding of the Church as “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic,” grounded in the communion of bishops and the apostolic succession. He then turns to the memory of the martyrs and confessors who endured the brutal atheist regime, emphasizing that their sacrifice was the seed of new life and freedom for the Albanian Church. “Our martyr brothers and sisters,” he states, “did not surrender; they preserved the faith as a precious treasure hidden beneath ashes, awaiting the dawn of Resurrection”.

The archbishop vividly describes the spiritual desolation during the years of religious oppression but also the steadfastness of the faithful and the clergy who “served secretly in catacombs of faith and prayer.” This metaphor invokes early Christian experiences under Roman persecution, thus placing modern Albanian Orthodoxy within the unbroken chain of ecclesial martyrdom and witness. A central theme of the speech is the rebuilding not only of churches and institutions but of a spiritual and cultural identity deeply rooted in Orthodox faith and tradition. Archbishop John points to the restoration of the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Tirana as a visible symbol of this renaissance and a testimony to the resilience of Orthodoxy in Albania. He stresses the importance of pastoral care and education, calling for renewed catechesis, theological formation, and the active engagement of youth in the life of the Church. In his words, “We must sow the Gospel not only in stones but in hearts”. Ecclesiologically, Archbishop John affirms the canonical place of the Albanian Orthodox Church within the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s jurisdiction, recognizing the Patriarch as the “first among equals,” a source of unity and tradition.⁵ This affirmation is crucial in light of historical tensions and underlines the commitment to canonical order and Orthodox unity.

The address closes with a prayerful invocation for peace, stability, and the strengthening of Orthodox witness not only in Albania but in the wider Balkans and the Orthodox world. Archbishop John’s vision is one of hope rooted in resurrection and fidelity to the apostolic faith.

 

 

The Living Church of Albania and Its Future Challenges

The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania stands today as a living testimony to the vitality and spiritual endurance of Orthodoxy in the post-communist Balkans. Emerging from the ruins of militant atheism, the Church has not only been rebuilt institutionally but also renewed spiritually, doctrinally, and pastorally under the charismatic leadership of Archbishop Anastasios. The Albanian ecclesiastical experience reflects an authentic resurrection (anástasis), both ecclesiologically and anthropologically, illuminating what it means to be Church in adverse historical contexts. In terms of ecclesiology, the Church of Albania models a dynamic integration of tradition and mission. Its post-1991 rebirth was not simply a restoration of past structures, but a creative and Spirit-filled engagement with new realities. In theological education, liturgical renewal, interfaith dialogue, and social outreach, the Church exemplifies an Orthodox ecclesiology that is neither static nor defensive but rooted in the Gospel and open to the world without compromise[2] Theologically, the Church of Albania bears witness to a pneumatologically vision of ecclesial life. The Holy Spirit—often marginalized in modern ecclesiological formulations—occupies a central role in the Church’s understanding of its renewal. Archbishop Anastasios has emphasized this continually, framing the Church as a communion of persons animated by the Spirit and called to radiate the love of God in word and deed[3]. At the same time, the Church faces significant challenges. Externally, it must navigate the complex religious pluralism of Albanian society, where Islam and Catholicism also hold deep historical roots. Internally, it must cultivate local vocations, deepen theological formation, and ensure a faithful transmission of Orthodox life amid growing secularization and migration[4]. In this context, the memory of past suffering serves as a theological and pastoral resource. The Church's experience of martyrdom and persecution is not merely a historical recollection, but a source of discernment for its future path. The wounds of the past become channels of grace and authenticity, empowering the Church to speak credibly in today’s world. Ultimately, the Church of Albania stands as a beacon for a united and dynamic Orthodoxy—one that neither idolizes the past nor fears the future. Its journey reminds the wider Orthodox world that true ecclesial life is not confined to power structures or territorial claims, but emerges from fidelity to the Gospel, unity in faith, and the ever-renewing presence of the Holy Spirit.

 Ecclesiastical Implications for the Moscow Patriarchate: Unity, Authority, and the Limits of Russkiy Mir

The fraternal and canonical visit of Archbishop Anastasios to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the public reaffirmation of communion between Constantinople and Tirana, represent not only a pastoral gesture of mutual recognition but also a theologically loaded signal—indirect yet clear—to the Moscow Patriarchate. In the broader ecclesiological landscape, this act reinforces the canonical precedence of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and challenges the ecclesiological narrative that Moscow has been cultivating in recent years. The Moscow Patriarchate has sought to promote an ecclesiological framework rooted in the ideological concept of the "Third Rome," presenting itself as the legitimate leader of the so-called "Russian World" (Russkiy Mir)[5]. This narrative includes a strong geopolitical and cultural dimension, increasingly fused with theological claims to primacy within the Orthodox world, especially in opposition to the decisions of Constantinople concerning the autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

By maintaining strong communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate—even while expressing reservations regarding the Ukrainian autocephaly process—the Orthodox Church of Albania demonstrates an alternative path. It shows that theological critique and canonical unity are not mutually exclusive. In contrast to Moscow’s practice of severing communion with Churches that recognized the Orthodox Church of Ukraine under Metropolitan Epiphanius, Albania’s posture weakens Moscow’s narrative of exclusive fidelity to “true Orthodoxy”. This ecclesiastical stance undermines the claim that any deviation from the Russian position constitutes a betrayal of Orthodoxy. Furthermore, the Moscow Patriarchate has increasingly come under criticism for conflating ecclesial identity with nationalistic and geopolitical agendas. This has been especially pronounced since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the public support of the war by Patriarch Kirill[6]. In stark contrast, the Church of Albania—along with the Ecumenical Patriarchate—offers an ecclesiology rooted in peace, canonical order, and spiritual integrity. This serves as a tacit yet powerful witness against the politicization of ecclesial authority and the secularization of Orthodox witnesses[7]. The position of the Albanian Church also functions as a model for other autocephalous Churches. It illustrates that internal dissent and theological prudence can coexist with ecclesial communion. This fosters a vision of conciliarity and mutual respect within the Orthodox katholikē (catholicity) and poses a challenge to the hegemonic posture adopted by Moscow. Rather than promoting fragmentation or schism, the Church of Albania affirms a form of ecclesiastical diplomacy grounded in communion and dialogue.

 

Witness of Resurrected Ecclesial Life

The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania stands today as a living testimony to the resurrection power of the Gospel within the historical and spiritual body of the Church. Emerging from decades of brutal atheistic oppression, it has not only survived but flourished—thanks to the indomitable faith of its people, the wise leadership of Archbishop Anastasios, and the sustaining grace of the Holy Spirit. Its journey is not merely a story of institutional restoration but of theological depth, missionary zeal, inter-Orthodox responsibility, and ecclesial authenticity. In a time when global Orthodoxy faces tensions, divisions, and challenges to canonical unity, the Albanian Church offers an alternative vision—one of reconciliation without compromise, unity without uniformity, and fidelity without fanaticism. The recent reaffirmation of communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, especially considering geopolitical pressures and ideological redefinitions within the Orthodox world, underscores the Church of Albania’s commitment to conciliarity, canonical order, and theological sobriety. It reminds the broader Church that unity is not maintained through power structures but through mutual respect, love, and obedience to the life-giving traditions of the Church. Looking ahead, the Church of Albania is called to continue bearing witness to an ecclesiology rooted in resurrection, dialogue, mission, and spiritual renewal. Its voice measured, prophetic, and prayerful remains a vital contribution to the ongoing dialogue about the future of global Orthodoxy in a fractured yet hopeful world.

---

[1] For the visit and the speeches of the primates, see the official page of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, https://ec-patr.org/%ce%b8%ce%b5%cf%81%ce%bc%ce%ae-%cf%85%cf%80%ce%bf%ce%b4%ce%bf%cf%87%ce%ae-%cf%84%ce%bf%cf%85-%ce%b1%cf%81%cf%87%ce%b9%ce%b5%cf%80%ce%b9%cf%83%ce%ba%cf%8c%cf%80%ce%bf%cf%85-%ce%b1%ce%bb%ce%b2%ce%b1/. And https://ec-patr.org/%cf%80%cf%81%ce%bf%cf%83%cf%86%cf%8e%ce%bd%ce%b7%cf%83%ce%b9%cf%82-%cf%84%e1%bf%86%cf%82-%ce%b1-%ce%b8-%cf%80%ce%b1%ce%bd%ce%b1%ce%b3%ce%b9%cf%8c%cf%84%ce%b7%cf%84%ce%bf%cf%82-%cf%84-2/

 

[2] Anastasios Yannoulatos, Mission in Christ’s Way: An Orthodox Understanding of Mission, trans. Eirinaios Hatziemmanouil, Brookline, MA: Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 2010, pp. 52–61.

[3] Anastasios Yannoulatos, Facing the World: Orthodox Christian Essays on Global Concerns, Geneva: WCC Publications, 2003, pp.12–20.

[4] Pantelis Kalaitzidis, Orthodoxy and Modernity: Essays in Contextual Theology, Geneva: WCC Publications, 2021, pp.118–124.

[5] Antoine Arjakovsky, What Is Orthodoxy? A Genealogy of Christian Understanding, trans. Geraldine Egerton, Yonkers, NY: St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2018, pp.329–334.

[6] Cyril Hovorun, Political Orthodoxies: The Unorthodoxies of the Church Coerced, Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2018, pp.178–184.

[7] Anastasios Yannoulatos, Facing the World: Orthodox Christian Essays on Global Concerns, Geneva: WCC Publications, 2003, pp. 64–71.