Archbishop Anastasios of Albania's Condition Critical

Athens, Greece — The head of the Albanian Orthodox Church has been airlifted to a hospital in Athens due to complications from a virus and is currently in critical condition, according to the Evangelismos hospital.

Archbishop Anastasios, 95, was taken to the Greek capital Friday evening, four days after being admitted to a hospital in Tirana with what Church officials called a "seasonal virus."

The hospital's medical report stated, "His Beatitude's condition is assessed as critical by the attending physicians. "

On Saturday, his condition was assessed as "stable despite his already complicated medical history."

Anastasios is credited with having revived the Orthodox Church in Muslim-majority Albania. He led the Church there for three decades.

The defence ministry said he was airlifted to Athens on a C-27 Greek Air Force plane following a request from Greek emergency services.

Greek public television ERT reported that he was also suffering from gastric bleeding.

In November 2020, he was hospitalized in Athens for 12 days with COVID-19.

On Sunday afternoon, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the hospital where Archbishop Anastasios of Albania is receiving treatment and was updated on the archbishop's health condition.