Albania, December 19, 2025
Photo: ekklisiaonline.gr
His Beatitude Archbishop Ioannis of Albania is among the candidates for person of the year 2025 in Albania.
The Albanian primate was included by the News Bom website, which is organizing the ongoing online vote, reports Ekklisia Online.
Other candidates for the same title include a Supreme Court justice, a businessman, a former member of parliament, a public television director, a sea captain who lost his life trying to save people at Lake Shkodra, a police department director, journalists, a former national park director, the Brazilian coach of the Albanian National Team, and a model.
Archbishop Ioannis became head of the Albanian Church in March following the repose of the beloved Archbishop Anastasios. He previously served as Metropolitan of Korçë for 27 years.
His Beatitude was baptized during Albania’s atheist period by the late Bishop Kosmas Qirios of Apollonia, who died a martyr, and was active in the resistance against Hoxha’s communist regime. He now carries forward the legacy of Abp. Anastasios, his spiritual father, building on the internationally recognized structures his predecessor established for Albania’s small but respected Orthodox Church.
The archbishop continues working to reclaim church properties that courts have ruled belong to the Church but have not yet been returned. He maintains positive relationships with other Christian communities while not hesitating to voice constructive disagreements when necessary. The Albanian government has shown support for his leadership, both due to his Albanian heritage and his commitment to fostering peaceful coexistence among the country’s religious communities.
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