On 21 June 2026, the Third Sunday of Matthew, His Beatitude Archbishop Ioan of Albania presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tirana, during which he ordained a new hierodeacon for the Orthodox Church of Albania.
During the service, the young Kristi Baka was first ordained as a Reader and then received the diaconal ordination, taking the name Hierodeacon Nifon. Concelebrating with Archbishop Ioan was Metropolitan Nathanael of Gjirokastër, together with clergy from the Archdiocese and other Metropolises of the Church of Albania.
A large congregation of faithful participated in the Divine Liturgy and responded with a unanimous “Axios!” (“He is worthy!”) following the ordination.
In his address, Archbishop Ioan encouraged the newly ordained hierodeacon to serve God with all his strength, mind, and soul. He emphasised that those who dedicate themselves fully to the Lord receive the grace of the Holy Spirit and divine protection from all evil.
The Archbishop also called upon the faithful to pray for the new deacon, stressing that the Church depends on the prayers of its members. He noted that all clergy are in need of the prayers of the faithful, adding that sincere prayer offered with heart and soul never goes unanswered by God.
Hierodeacon Nifon is currently completing a Professional Master’s Degree in Social and Practical Theology. He has also pursued studies in Economics and Byzantine Music.