Archbishop Anastasios of Albania Falls Asleep in the Lord; Funeral Services Scheduled for January 30
His Beatitude Anastasios – Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania
OCP News Service – 25/01/2025
Tirana – Albania: The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, with the deepest of sorrow, announces the falling asleep in the Lord of His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durres, and All Albania. His Beatitude fell asleep in the Lord today, January 25, 2025, at 08:30 AM, at “Evangelismos” Hospital in Athens, due to multiple organ failure, following a prolonged hospitalization at “Hygeia” Hospital in Tirana.
We call upon the faithful of the Church of Albania *(and throughout the world) * to pray for the repose of the soul of our departed Primate.
Born Anastasios Yannoulatos in 1929 in Greece, Archbishop Anastasios dedicated his life to serving the Orthodox Church. He arrived in Albania in 1991 to revive the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, which had been severely suppressed under the communist regime.
Through his God-inspired vision and tireless labor, he rebuilt ecclesiastical life from its very foundations. He oversaw the construction of hundreds of churches, established educational and philanthropic institutions, and educated and ordained new clergy, offering unceasing sacrificial service for over thirty-three years.
Archbishop Anastasios was a renowned theologian and ecumenical leader. He served as President of the World Council of Churches and was a tireless advocate for interfaith dialogue and peace.
Holy Synod Convenes Extraordinary Meeting
The Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania convened an extraordinary meeting on January 25, 2025, at 11:30 a.m., to address the passing of Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania. With profound sorrow, the Synod bid farewell to their beloved spiritual leader, expressing heartfelt gratitude for his monumental contributions to the Church and the Orthodox faithful of Albania.
Key Decisions by the Holy Synod:
- Election of Locum Tenens: Metropolitan Ioannis of Korçë was unanimously elected as the Locum Tenens of the Archdiocesan Throne.
- Proclamation of Mourning: A five-day mourning period was declared, from January 25 to January 29, 2025, in honor of the late Archbishop.
- Reception of the Body: The body of Archbishop Anastasios will arrive at the Cathedral of the “Resurrection of Christ” in Tirana on Tuesday, January 28, at 4:00 p.m. Tributes will follow that afternoon and continue throughout the next day, Wednesday, January 29.
- Funeral Service: The funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, January 30, at 11:00 a.m., immediately following the Divine Liturgy.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Synod held a memorial service, praying for the repose of Archbishop Anastasios’ soul. The Synod also called upon the faithful to join in prayer for their cherished Shepherd, whose unwavering dedication transformed the spiritual life of the Orthodox Church in Albania.
May his memory be eternal!
OCP News Service and orthodoxtimes.com
