Archbishop of Albania stressed vital role of priests and their wives in Church life

Archbishop Ioannis of Albania emphasized the important contribution of priests and their wives to the life of the Church during the first joint gathering of clergy from the Archdiocese of Tirana and their spouses, held at the Monastery of Saint Blaise in Durrës.

The gathering, inspired by the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to “stir up the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6), provided an opportunity for dialogue, reflection, and closer fellowship among priestly families.

Addressing participants, Archbishop Ioannis praised the dedication of both priests and presvyteres, acknowledging the challenges they face in their daily lives. He stressed that mutual understanding, unity, and cooperation within priestly families are essential to effective pastoral ministry.

The keynote address was delivered by Protopresbyter Fr. Matthaios Chalaris, parish priest of the Church of Saint Demetrios in Agios Dimitrios, Athens, who drew on his extensive pastoral experience to discuss the importance of keeping the priestly vocation alive.

Fr. Chalaris identified three essential elements in sustaining this calling: “Unity and the spiritual relationship between the clergyman and his bishop, the life and…