Albanian Archbishop: Christians Must Set an Example of Striving for Peace
The Albanian Archbishop stated that it is not enough for religious communities to call for peace – they must be the first to set an example of respect and reconciliation.
On July 21, 2026, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania Anastasios spoke at the European Regional Forum "Religions for Peace in Europe" and called on representatives of religious communities to be the first to set an example of peaceful coexistence for society, as reported by the Union of Orthodox Journalists in Albania.
“It is not enough simply to call for peace. We are the first called to set an example of peace,” said the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church. According to him, the words, decisions, and attitude of believers toward people who differ from them must bear witness to the fact that faith is capable of freeing a person from fear and prejudice.
Archbishop Anastasios described the human striving toward God as a profound spiritual need. “The search for God must never become a cause of conflict, hatred, or violence. The name of God cannot be used to humiliate a person,” he emphasized. Faith, the Archbishop added, cannot serve as a means of exclusion, fanaticism, or domination over others.
The Primate noted that genuine interreligious dialogue does not require believers to abandon their convictions or to conceal theological disagreements. “We can disagree without hating one another. We can bear witness to our faith without giving offense. We can cooperate without blending our traditions,” he said.
According to Archbishop Anastasios, peace means not only the absence of armed conflict. “It is a daily act of justice, mutual trust, and reconciliation,” he stated. The Primate called on religious communities to protect the dignity of every person, to help those who have suffered, and to prevent the actions of one individual from becoming grounds for accusations against an entire people or religious community.
The Union of Orthodox Journalists previously reported that the Primates of Constantinople and Albania made a pilgrimage together.
