Metropolitan John of Korça is the most likely candidate for the post of Primate of the Albanian Church, - media

The hierarch of the Albanian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan John of Korça, is the most likely candidate for the post of the new Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church. The bishop is considered the spiritual successor of the deceased Archbishop Anastasios and has all the necessary qualities to fulfill the high priestly duties. In addition, Metropolitan John is preferred by the bishops of the Albanian Orthodox Church in this matter. This was reported by the Orthodox Times with reference to its own sources.

“Sources in the Albanian Church, with whom OrthodoxTimes.com spoke, characterize Metropolitan John as a highly competent hierarch with a strong theological background. A graduate of the Holy Cross Divinity School in Boston, he is fluent in Albanian, Greek and English, which further strengthens his ability to work both locally and internationally. Currently, there is not a single candidate among the seven members of the Holy Synod of the Albanian Church who is capable of succeeding Archbishop Anastasios. It is expected that if elected, Metropolitan John will lead the Church in the same spirit and with the same vision as his predecessor,” — the publication reported.

As reported, on January 30, 2025, the heads and delegations of the Local Orthodox Churches arrived in the capital of Albania, Tirana, where they took part in the farewell to the newly deposed Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios. The funeral service for the First Hierarch of the Albanian Church was attended by the Primates of the Patriarchates of Constantinople, Jerusalem, Alexandria and Bulgaria, as well as the heads of the Greek and Cypriot Churches and representatives of the Romanian, Russian and other Local Churches.