Archbishop Ioannis of Albania: We must help young people rediscover the purpose of their existence

In an interview with ERTNews, His Beatitude, the newly elected Archbishop Ioannis of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania, spoke about his journey from communist Albania to the theological halls of Boston, his encounter with the late Archbishop Anastasios, the vital role of the Church in promoting interfaith coexistence, and the challenges and hopes facing today’s youth.

Reflecting on the legacy of his predecessor, Archbishop Anastasios, Archbishop Ioannis emphasised the profound spiritual impact he left behind: “He worked tirelessly and made an exceptional contribution in every area. He succeeded in rebuilding the Church’s infrastructure,” he noted. Yet, more important than the material restoration, he added, was “his greatest gift — the cultivation of a spirit of reconciliation, of respect for every person. That is the most important offering he gave our Church.”

Archbishop Ioannis also shared the emotional struggles of his youth under the repressive communist regime: “Leaving was incredibly difficult. The whole of Albania had become a giant prison… Even second and third cousins suffered the consequences,” he recalled.

Driven by a desire to practice his faith freely, he made the daring decision to leave the country: “The desire to freely exercise my faith pushed me to find a way… first to Italy and then to the United States,” he said, referring to his theological studies in Boston.

A pivotal moment in his life was his first encounter with Archbishop Anastasios: “When I was completing my studies, I contacted the Archbishop. I told him that when I finished, I would return. He was glad. He congratulated me. And that was exactly the reason I came back,” he said.

In continuing the interfaith mission of his predecessor, Archbishop Ioannis underlined the importance of religious coexistence in Albania. “The Archbishop had great experience in dialogue with other religious communities. This contributed to fostering a very positive climate of cooperation,” he said.

He spoke of the Interreligious Council that brings together representatives from various faiths in Albania:
“We handle common issues — ethics, family, values. We must protect this coexistence because it should not be taken for granted,” he warned.

Concluding his interview, Archbishop Ioannis addressed the younger generation with a heartfelt message:
“With love and respect for our youth, I want to encourage them to find purpose in life. That’s where our times differ — the loss of meaning. We must help young people rediscover the purpose of their existence.”

The interview follows in the Greek language: