- Joan Pelushi elected as Archbishop of Tirana, succeeding the late Anastasios
- Church statute bars foreign clergy, excluding two Greek metropolitans
- Orthodox community represents 7% of Albania’s population per 2023 census
- Pelushi’s medical and theological background bridges science and faith
- Post-communist revival continues amid interreligious collaboration
The Albanian Orthodox Church has entered a new chapter with the election of Archbishop Joan Pelushi, who vowed to uphold the legacy of his predecessor, Archbishop Anastasios. The Holy Synod’s swift 40-minute decision reflects unity in transitioning leadership while adhering to church statutes that prioritize national clergy. This move signals stability for Albania’s 100,000-strong Orthodox community navigating post-atheist recovery.
Born in 1954, Pelushi’s unconventional path saw him treating mental health patients during Albania’s communist isolation before pursuing theology in America. His dual expertise in psychiatry and divinity informs a unique pastoral approach, emphasizing community healing. We must mend both souls and social fabric,Pelushi remarked during his inaugural address at Tirana’s Resurrection Cathedral.
The church’s autocephalous status, first declared in 1922, faced near annihilation under Enver Hoxha’s 1967 religion ban. Pelushi’s leadership now confronts modern challenges: reconciling census figures showing 7% Orthodoxy with church claims of greater influence, while maintaining harmony in a Muslim-majority Balkan nation. Unlike neighboring Serbia’s Orthodox dominance, Albania’s model prioritizes interfaith councils that have prevented sectarian strife.
Pelushi’s Korça diocese experience proves vital for southern regions bordering Greece, where Orthodox identity often intertwines with ethnic tensions. By publishing Albanian-language liturgical texts, he counters historical Greek ecclesiastical influence – a strategy mirroring Romania’s successful vernacular scripture movement. Over 20 translated works now enable worship in the native tongue, strengthening cultural ties.
As Tirana accelerates EU accession talks, the church’s role in preserving national identity gains geopolitical significance. Pelushi’s election coincides with Vatican efforts to canonize Albanian martyrs, suggesting coordinated Christian diplomacy. With tourism reviving Butrint’s Byzantine sites, the archbishop plans heritage partnerships akin to Bulgaria’s monastery-based cultural programs.
Economists note religious institutions contribute €30 million annually through charities and schools – a figure Pelushi aims to double by 2030. His vision extends beyond spiritual matters, advocating for EU-funded restoration of 45 communist-damaged churches. This builds on Anastasios’ legacy, which saw 150 churches rebuilt since 1991.