Archbishop John of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, head of the Albanian Orthodox Church, celebrated his name day in honor of his heavenly patron, the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian.

A solemn Divine Liturgy was held at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tirana, according to the Albanian Orthodox Church. Archbishop John presided over the service, joined by members of the Church’s Holy Synod and numerous clergy from dioceses across the country. Hundreds of faithful attended.

Following the liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas of Fier congratulated the archbishop on behalf of the Holy Synod, clergy and faithful, wishing him good health, God’s assistance and many years of service to the Church.

In his response, Archbishop John spoke about the significance of his heavenly patron and urged the faithful to follow the Apostle John’s central teaching: to preserve love for God and for one another. According to the archbishop, St. John left his disciples a simple principle: “Love one another, and that is enough.”

A reception was held at the cathedral following the service. The archbishop was congratulated by members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of academic and medical circles, figures from the cultural and scientific communities, and numerous parishioners.

Archbishop John became head of the Albanian Orthodox Church following the death of Archbishop Anastasios in 2025. Before his election as primate, he had been involved in the life of the Church and in the revival of the country’s Orthodox community for many years.

John has recalled that his path to Orthodoxy began during Albania’s period of state atheism. A meeting in the United States with then-Metropolitan Anastasios of Androusa, who later became Archbishop of Albania, played an important role in his subsequent life. After completing his studies, John returned to Albania and began teaching at the theological seminary in Durrës in the 1990s.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ also sent greetings to Archbishop John on his name day. In his message, the Russian patriarch wished the head of the Albanian Church good health and Christ’s assistance in his ministry, highlighting his efforts to spread Christian teaching and care for his flock.