Archbishop of Albania: The feast of Prophet Elias on the 28th anniversary of his ordination as Metropolitan of Kortsatranslated

Today, on July 20, 2026, on the feast of the Prophet Ilios of Thesvitus, His Beatitude the Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and all Albania etc. John presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary in Tirana, in the Church where on this day, 28 years ago, he was ordained Bishop of Kortsa by the blessed Archbishop Anastasios. After half a century of atheism, on July 20, 1998, by the newly established Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Albania, Archimandrite Ioannis was elected and ordained Metropolitan of Kortsa.  The ordination was performed by the blessed Archbishop of Tirana and all Albania, Mr. Anastasios, supported by the Metropolitans of Philadelphia, Melitos and Beratiu, Ignatios.

In his speech, Bishop Amantias Mr. Ignatios emphasized that: "Such events are very important, because through the continuity of the episcopal rank, the existence of the Church of Christ on earth is ensured. In those difficult years, when everything was destroyed, you took on a not easy burden, to accept a sacrificial throne for the love of Christ's flock. It is important to remember the years of resurrection, which showed: How much…