Archbishop of Albania leads celebrations at Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania solemnly celebrated the feast of the Holy Chief Apostles Peter and Paul, with large numbers of faithful participating in services across the country.

Archbishop Ioannis of Albania presided over the Divine Liturgy at the feast-day church dedicated to the Apostles Peter and Paul in the village of Rrushkull, near Durrës, concelebrating with clergy of the Archdiocese.

In his homily, the Archbishop highlighted the unwavering faith of the two Apostles, who spread Christianity throughout the world despite persecutions, imprisonment, and suffering. He emphasized that the joy flowing from Christ’s Resurrection enabled them to overcome every hardship and described Christianity as the understanding of the mystery of the Cross, which was transformed from a symbol of death into a source of blessing through the Resurrection.

Archbishop Ioannis also stressed the importance of love for God as the foundation of genuine love for others and underlined the Orthodox teaching of synergy, noting that salvation is achieved through the cooperation of divine grace and human freedom.

Elsewhere in Albania, Metropolitan Anthony of Elbasan celebrated the…