The Archbishop of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, His Beatitude Ioan, visited Shkodra for the first time, where this Sunday he led the pre-Christmas mass in the Orthodox church of this city. His historic visit was accompanied by strong spiritual messages, emphasizing the importance of God's presence in the personal, family and social life of man.
During the sermon, Archbishop Joan underlined that any attempt to build life, society, or happiness without God is destined to fail, while emphasizing that divine commands are not a limitation of freedom, but its guarantee.
In his speech, His Beatitude also spoke about the true meaning of Lent, emphasizing that it is not simply a matter of abstaining from food, but above all, spiritual purification, a turning away from gossip, slander, and everyday sins. He also focused on the fall of human nature and Christ's mission to resurrect it.
At the end of his message, Archbishop Joan emphasized the role of the family as the nucleus of the community and the responsibility that every believer has not only for himself, but also for others. His visit to Shkodra was considered a special moment for the Orthodox community and for the entire city, on the eve of the Christmas holiday. After the mass, he visited the Shkodra municipality and the Mufti, giving messages of peace and unity.