A new school affiliated with the Albanian Orthodox Church was consecrated in Tirana

A solemn ceremony was held in the Albanian capital to consecrate the new school building currently under construction, located next to the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Mother of God in Tirana. Archbishop John of Tirana, Durres, and All Albania, performed the rite of the blessing of water (Agiasmos) and blessed the start of the new phase of construction, emphasizing the importance of continuing the Church’s educational mission and the upbringing of youth based on spiritual values.

According to the Orthodox Times, the event, held on June 8, 2026, was attended by Metropolitan Anastasios of Korçë, Metropolitan Nicholas of Apollonia and Fier, Bishop Ignatius of Amantia, as well as Andi Rembetsi, director of the “Spirit of Love” Foundation, teachers, parents, and students. Archbishop John expressed his deep gratitude to Archbishop Anastasius for his visionary leadership in establishing educational institutions and thanked everyone involved in the project for the prompt preparation of documentation and the high-quality completion of construction work in record timeframe.

In his address to those gathered, the head of the Albanian Orthodox Church referred to the words of the Apostle Paul on continuity: “I laid the foundation, and another is building upon it.” The Archbishop noted that a school is not only a place for acquiring knowledge but also a space for character formation. According to him, it is extremely important to build the educational process on “rock”—the teachings of Christ—since knowledge devoid of moral values can harm both the individual and society as a whole. The ceremony concluded with Pentecost hymns and prayers for the successful completion of the construction, which is intended to expand the Church’s social and educational ministry.