Metropolitan of Korçë John elected as new Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church

DECR Communication service, 16.03.2025.

On 16^th March 2025 a session of the Holy Synod of the Albanian Orthodox Church took place in Tirana. The locum tenens of the Archiepiscopal Throne of the Albanian Orthodox Church the metropolitan of Korçë John was unanimously elected to be the new Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania.

The Holy Synod of the Albanian Orthodox Church consists of seven bishops: the bishop of Bersat Asti; the metropolitan of Korçë John; the metropolitan of Gjirokastër Dhimitër; the metropolitan of Apollonia and Fier Nikola; the metropolitan of Elbasan Andon; the metropolitan of Amantia Nathanail; and the bishop of Kruja Anastasi.

The solemn enthronement of the newly-elected archbishop will take place on 29^th March 2025 at the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Tirana, reports the website of the Union of Orthodox Journalists.

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Metropolitan John was born Fatmir Pelushi in Tirana on 2^nd February 1956. Still a young man, he was secretly baptized at a time of severe religious persecution by Father Kozma Qirjo, who later became the bishop of Apollonia. In 1990 he left for the USA where he studied at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston and graduated with distinction in 1993 with the degree of Master of Theological Studies. Upon returning to Albania he taught at the seminary in Durrës.

On 27^th February 1994 he was ordained deacon and on 4^th December to the priesthood. From 1996 to 1996 he continued his education at the Greek College in Boston, USA. In 1996 he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. In 1997 he was appointed deputy rector of the church academy in Durrës.

On 18^th July 1998 he was elected to be metropolitan of Korçë and he continued to teach at the academy.

Metropolitan John has represented the Albanian Orthodox Church at many pan-Orthodox events, at international meetings, at the World Council of Churches and European international organizations.

In July 2013 he headed the delegation of the Albanian Orthodox Church at celebrations dedicated to the 1025^th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus.

After the death of His Beatitude the Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania on 26^th January 2025 he was elected locum tenens of the Archiepiscopal Throne of the Albanian Orthodox Church.

On 16^th March 2025 he was unanimously elected to be the Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania.

He is the author of numerous theological works and translations.

He speaks English, French, Italian and Greek and knows Latin and Hebrew.

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Metropolitan of Korçë John elected as new Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church

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