Funeral of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania Held in Tirana

The funeral of the late Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania, Anastasios, was held on Thursday at the Orthodox Cathedral of the Resurrection in Tirana, with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presiding over the solemn service.

The ceremony was attended by Orthodox patriarchs, archbishops, and ecclesiastical delegations from around the world, as well as representatives of the Vatican, the World Council of Churches, and the religious communities of Albania. Among the dignitaries present were Albania’s President Bajram Begaj, Prime Minister Edi Rama, and opposition leader Sali Berisha, along with several diplomatic representatives.

Greece was prominently represented at the funeral, with Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece arriving alongside Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and several Greek government ministers. Delegations from opposition parties PASOK-Movement for Change, led by party president Nikos Androulakis, and SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, headed by leader Sokratis Famellos, were also in attendance.

During the service, emotional funeral orations were delivered by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Metropolitan John of Korçën, who serves as the Locum Tenens of the Archbishop’s Throne, as well as Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, coordinator of the World Council of Churches, and the prime ministers of Greece and Albania.

Patriarch Bartholomew bid farewell to the late archbishop, stating, “The great pillar of Orthodoxy in Albania has fallen,” recognising Anastasios’ pivotal role in revitalising the Orthodox Church in Albania following decades of repression.

Following the funeral service, Archbishop Anastasios was laid to rest in a special crypt within the cathedral, in accordance with his wishes.

Speaking at the funeral, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis paid tribute to Archbishop Anastasios, emphasising the profound impact of his life’s work and the enduring legacy he leaves behind.

“The life and work of the prelate to whom we bid farewell today can be summed up in three words: ‘We dare to hope.’ Courage and hope always guided Anastasios on his admirable path—whether as a humble missionary in an Africa of hungry children, a quiet supporter of students under the Greek dictatorship, or as the great restorer and tenacious trailblazer of Orthodoxy in Albania,” Mitsotakis said.

The prime minister highlighted Anastasios’ extraordinary achievements since arriving in Albania in 1991, noting how he restored the Orthodox Autocephalous Church, founded over 400 parishes, built and rebuilt hundreds of churches, ordained 145 new clergy members, and established numerous educational, healthcare, and charitable institutions.

“The Archbishop has always been a bridge of friendship between our two peoples and a link of communication between our two states,” Mitsotakis stated, describing him as a “diplomat of love” who served his mission with both moderation and unwavering dedication.

Archbishop Anastasios, a highly respected figure in the Orthodox Christian world, was recognised for his tireless efforts in fostering interfaith dialogue, rebuilding religious institutions, and promoting unity between Greece and Albania. His passing marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of faith, compassion, and reconciliation.

(Source: Associated Press)