Metropolitan John of Korica has been elected the new Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and All Albania by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, succeeding the late Archbishop Anastasios.

His election took place today, Sunday 16 March 2025, at a meeting of the Holy Synod in Tirana, in accordance with the Holy Tradition and the Statutes of the Church.

The new Archbishop has been a close assistant of Blessed Archbishop Anastasios for more than thirty years, and has been distinguished for his spiritual and pastoral work, his support of the Church‘s charitable initiatives and his contribution to the reconstruction of the Orthodox flock in Albania.

After the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, the Holy Synod officially announced its decision before a large number of faithful, who greeted the succession of the new Primate by exclaiming “Worthy!”

This was followed by the Sequence of the Great Message, where the new Archbishop John read the official text of acceptance of the high ecclesiastical office, signing it at the Holy Altar.