Gjirokastër, Albania, September 9, 2026
Met. Joanikije (second from left) concelebrating with Greek hierarchs. Photo: imkalaig.gr
His Eminence Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral of the Serbian Orthodox Church recently concelebrated with hierarchs from two neighboring Orthodox Churches.
On September 6, Metropolitan Joanikije served the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Christ’s Resurrection in Gjirokastër, Albania, concelebrating with Metropolitan Nathanael of Gjirokastër of the Orthodox Church of Albania. Clergy and monastics from both dioceses also concelebrated. Following the Liturgy, Metropolitan Joanikije held a memorial service for the late Metropolitan Dimitrios of Gjirokastër, reports the Metropolis of Montegro.
Met. Joanikije with Met. Nathanael of the Albanian Church. Photo: mitropolija.com
The next day, Metropolitan Joanikije traveled to Kalavryta, Greece, joining hierarchs from the Church of Greece and a large crowd of faithful for a two-day celebration of the feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos at the Shrine of the Panagia Platanitissa on September 7-8, reports the Greek diocese.
On the evening of September 7, Metropolitan Theoklitos of Ierissos, Mount Athos and Ardameri presided over the Vigil, concelebrating with Metropolitan Joanikije and four other hierarchs. Metropolitan Ieronymos of Kalavryta and Aigialeia welcomed the visiting hierarchs warmly, thanking each for responding to his invitation.
Metropolitan Theoklitos then delivered the homily, speaking at length on the person of the Theotokos and her decisive role in the mystery of Divine providence. He dwelt in particular on her description by the Church Fathers as a “border”—the point where the created meets the uncreated, standing between earth and Heaven—and said the Church’s honor for her is bound up with the very event of the Incarnation.
imkalaig.gr
On the morning of September 8, Metropolitan Ignatios of Demetrias and Almyros presided over the Divine Liturgy, concelebrating with Metropolitan Joanikije and three other hierarchs. Metropolitan Ignatios preached on the Righteous Ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, developing the significance of their faith and trust in God.
He noted that Sts. Joachim and Anna raised the Theotokos with prayer, patience, and steadfast faith, and that it was within that spiritual environment that her later trust in God’s will took shape. He connected the feast to the family today, stressing that shared faith, prayer, mutual understanding, patience, and the personal example of parents hold a family together, and presented Sts. Joachim and Anna as a model for families navigating today’s pressures.
After the Liturgy, Metropolitan Joanikije addressed the congregation, also speaking on the Theotokos’ unique place in the work of Divine providence and how, in her person, the meeting of God with man is revealed in a way beyond human comprehension.
Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, and MeWe!
