This morning, His Beatitude Archbishop Joani of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania presided over a pan-Orthodox Hierarchal Divine Liturgy at St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church in Braintree, Massachusetts, concelebrating with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and numerous hierarchs from abroad and belonging to the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America.
The liturgy marked both the Feast of the Sunday of Orthodoxy and the commencement of His Beatitude’s first visit to the U.S. since his election and enthronement as Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania in March 2025.
At the liturgy’s conclusion, Archbishop Joani marveled at the multitude of concelebrating clergy from many jurisdictions.
“The world needs to see us together–we need a visible unity,” Archbishop Joani said. “In heart we are united with each other, but we should show the world this. We cannot invite other people for dialogue if we do not dialogue with one another.”
His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston and parish priest Fr. Theodore Toppses offered brief remarks welcoming His Beatitude, as did Archbishop Elpidophoros.
“We pray that your time will be marked by the warm embrace–not only of the pious Albanian Orthodox People, but by all of your brothers and sisters who will have the privilege to welcome Your Beatitude into their midst,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said.
A graduate of Hellenic College Holy Cross, Archbishop Joani will continue his visit by offering the keynote address at his alma mater’s international conference on the life and legacy of his predecessor and mentor, Archbishop Anastasios of blessed memory.
The conference, entitled “Anastasios: Archbishop, Theologian, and Missionary” will be held at Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology from March 2-4, 2026, on the occasion of the first anniversary since the passing of Archbishop Anastasios. Organized by HCHC’s Huffington Ecumenical Institute and Missions Institute, the conference will gather prominent hierarchs, clergy, theologians, scholars, and lay leaders to reflect on the diverse and dynamic ministry of Archbishop Anastasios who brought renewal to the Church of Albania, advanced the ministry of missionary outreach in Albania, Africa, and beyond, and advocated for Orthodox unity and the Church’s role in ecumenical dialogue.
For further information on the conference, please click here.
Hierarchs concelebrating today’s liturgy included: His Beatitude Archbishop Joani of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania; His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America; His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston; His Eminence Metropolitan Neofitos of Eldoret and Northern Kenya; His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America (Patriarchate of Serbia); His Grace Bishop Saba of North America (Patriarchate of Georgia); His Eminence Metropolitan Kyrillos of Krini; His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon (Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA); His Grace Bishop Joachim of Amissos; His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos; His Grace Bishop Theophan of Philomelion; His Grace Bishop Nikodhim of Boston and the Albanian Archdiocese (Orthodox Church in America (OCA)); His Grace Bishop Benedict of Hartford and New England (OCA); His Grace Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia; and His Grace Bishop Anthony of Synada.
Priests and deacons included: Frs. Gregor (Orthodox Church of Albania), Seraphim Solof (Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America), Ieronymos Katamadze (Georgian Orthodox Church), John Parker (OCA), Michael Lambakis, Theodore Toppses, and Demetrios Bathrellos; Archdeacon Dionysios Papiris; and Dns. Ieremias Mandoras, Spyridon Green, and Vassilios Panagopoulos.
Photo by Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos
Photo by Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos
Photo by Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos
Photo by Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos
