Enthronement Speech of Joan Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and All Albania

“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.(Rev.1:5-6) I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore.For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol (Psalm 86:12-13) 

I 

With these words of the Holy Bible, I want to express my deep gratitude to God for all his blessings to me and to our Church. Gratitude to God also includes all those people through whom these gifts have been made possible. 

We thank and honour the martyrs of Illyria, who spread the light of faith in the regions where we live with their blood and life; the saints and pious who have kept the light of faith through the ages; the new martyrs, who, in a very difficult time for the Church and our country, gave their lives to preserve their faith, their national identity and their language. They make up a long list of names and we will always remember them with respect and gratitude. 

During the second half of the 20th century, the Church faced atrocious communist persecution. The entire material and human infrastructure were completely destroyed. Churches and monasteries were demolished or turned into stables, warehouses, etc. The persecutors demolished the outer walls, but they could not destroy the faith within the hearts of the people. Thousands of pious men and women were persecuted and exhausted because of their faith, and many even gave their lives. It was precisely the testimony of these people that inspired thousands of others to keep the Christian faith and make it the centre of their lives. By their example, they fulfilled the Lord's promise that “on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Mt 16:17-18) 

Throughout the history of our Church, the Psalm has been coherent “We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfilment”. (Psalm 66:12) 

In critical and difficult times, God visited Her by sending enlightened and pious people. Today I also want to honour the memory of all my predecessors and their great efforts to care for the flock entrusted to them by the Lord. From the long list I would like to mention two prominent personalities. 

During the first half of the 20th century, in a difficult time for the Church and our country, Theophanes Noli was the right person. He was endowed by God with extraordinary abilities; he had a courageous character to dare to tread on unknown trails and open new paths; he was well acquainted with the life of the Church and Her teaching; He knew many languages and had excellent knowledge and a special passion for church music. His contributed to the formation of the national consciousness and to the preparation of autocephaly, as well to the translation of liturgical texts were invaluable. In a very short time, on his own, without a tradition of ecclesiastical language, he supplied the Church with the main books of Orthodox worship. His poetic spirit and broad education gave his translations power and unparalleled beauty. 

At the end of the 20th century, the Orthodox Church, like all other religious communities in the country, found Herself completely destroyed and her rebirth seemed like an impossible mission. But, again, God sent another enlightened man, similarly endowed with many gifts – Archbishop Anastasios – who made possible the rebirth of our Church.  Not only did he succeed in rebuilding Her walls and Her physical infrastructure, but his main effort was to have a Church where God was worshipped "in spirit and truth." In his vision, buildings were not a goal in themselves, but only a means to accomplish the Church's salvific work. His public and private preaching has always been loving with respect for every human being, conveying a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness within the Church and more broadly, a spirit that we must preserve and continue. 

For all this, I think the least we can do is to extend our thanks to them and always be grateful, because true faith is not separated from thanksgiving and gratitude. "Nothing is more pleasing to God than a grateful soul of thanksgiving... Gratitude adds nothing to God but brings us closer to Him" - states St. John Chrysostom. The more gratitude we have, the closer God will be to us. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17). 

II 

But thanksgiving, like any deep emotion, cannot only be an emotion, but it is also an act. "What shall I render to the Lord For all His benefits toward me" – the Psalmist asks (Ps. 115:12). This question also applies to us today. I am aware of the heavy burden on my weak shoulders. Only the hope, according to the Prophet Isaiah, that "God is the One who gives strength to the weary and increases the strength of the weak", gives us courage and strength to continue our efforts to fulfil this sacred mission to His Church. 

Every era has had its challenges. The century in which we live with new technologies, the loss of traditional values, cultural and religious pluralism, presents new and different challenges for the entire human community in general. Undoubtedly, our Orthodox Church cannot be exempted from these challenges either. We must face them, not only to protect ourselves, but also to find original and creative solutions as part of our responsibility in this time. 

Although the seasons and the answers may not always be the same and the methods may be different, however the spirit that characterizes them should always remain the same; it is the love for God and for all people, whoever they may be. Our vision, efforts and focus should be: 

1- The preservation and protection of the Sacred Tradition and faith in the teachings of the Lord, which have been transmitted by the Apostles up to the present day. Only when we rely on the values that stem from the Lord's teaching, can we renew our spiritual life. Today's world suffers from the lack of this life and the lack of it also brings the lack of cultural and spiritual life, making our life and society poorer. 

2 - The strengthening of unity within the Church is an indispensable need for the accomplishment of Her commitment. Only when we are united is the Church strong and credible in Her witness to Christ in the world. "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls”. Unity is maintained only where there is joy, peace and love for one another. “Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Cor 13:11). 

3 - The Church always prioritizes the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, but at the same time realizes that this Gospel of the Kingdom is important in this life as well. For this reason, without confrontation and without choice of the one and negligence of the other, she has tried to maintain the balance between the Gospel of the Kingdom and the "Social Gospel". In the first is included her pastoral work for the salvation of human beings, in the second the care for all, especially for those who are poor, have varied needs, for those who live in loneliness and in the margins. Both aspects of the gospel are important and interrelated. "If you do not meet Christ in the person of the beggar who stands at the doors of the Church," says St. John Chrysostom, "you will not find Him in the cup of Holy Communion." 

4 - As it is known and accepted by all, the family is the original cell of social life. The Orthodox Church teaches that a healthy family is built on the sanctity of marriage, as a fundamental, non-negotiable and inalienable teaching. It is more than necessary to emphasize that today's society needs to rediscover the undeniable values of marriage and the family. This is because it often happens, in the name of progress and development, that traditional values and bonds are destroyed, seriously damaging the family, marriage and the human person. Faith in God is a guarantee for the preservation of these vital values for humanity and for having a healthy family and society. 

5 - When we talk about religion in Albania, there is always reference to religious coexistence, which is a great treasure of our country. But like everything, coexistence is not static. Nothing in this world is immune from changes, movements, increases and losses. Previous generations laid the foundations and developed this tradition. It is our duty today and that of those who will come after, to preserve and constantly strengthen it, just as every wealth must be protected and further developed for the benefit of all. 

6 - We must encourage, with love and wisdom, especially young people, to love their country and not to abandon it. It is impossible to love God and not love the country that gave birth to you and raised you and the people who dwell in it. Sacrifices for others come at a cost, but they will bring joy and fulfil their lives, because a life without joy is a fractured life. 

7 - The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania will be friendly and wishes to live in peace with all, following the exhortation of the St Paul: “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Rom. 12:18). She will try, within her limited capabilities, to promote and have an active participation, both in the Inter Orthodox dialogue and in the dialogue with all others. 

IIΙ 

Personally, I will try with all my might to serve the flock entrusted to me by God, always keeping in mind the Lord's words that “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Μt. 20:28). I will try to be willing to listen to and consult clergy and laity and to make pastoral visits to all the Dioceses. I ask our Lord Jesus Christ, the Founder of the Church, to give me enlightenment, strength, and wisdom so that I may bear the burden of this responsibility, and fulfil this difficult but at the same time sacred task. 

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the members of the Holy Synod, who trusted me and elected me. I also say thanks to all the representatives of the other Orthodox Churches, the state authorities, the diplomatic and religious representatives, all the members of our Church, clergy and laity, as well as friends and benefactors, for their presence, and I pray that God will protect our Church, enlighten our people and bless our country. Amen!