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Emblematic Archbishop Anastasios of Albania dies at 95

One of the most emblematic personalities of the Greek Orthodox Church, the Archbishop of Albania, Anastasios, passed away at the age of 95.

Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania (secular name: Anastasios Yannoulatos, Head of the Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, Professor Emeritus of the National University of Athens, Honorary Member of the Academy of Athens, one of the presidents of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches and the honorary president of the World Conference of Religions for Peace.

Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αναστάσιος: Πενθήμερο πένθος στην Εκκλησία της Αλβανίας - ΤΟ  ΒΗΜΑ

He played a key role in reviving the church in Albania, an independent branch of the Eastern Orthodox Church, after being elected to lead it in 1992 following the fall of the communist regime which had ruled the Muslim-majority country for decades.

A vocal supporter of dialogue among different religions, Archbishop Anastasios had previously served as a missionary in several countries in Africa and was well known for his charitable work to help the poor and outcast in Albania.

His dedication and love for the people, his broader education and his charitable work, his open-mildness made him one of the few high-ranking clergy who did made the difference and earned a lot of respect also by people we could described as atheists.

A personal note: I was stunned when I met him years ago that he asked me, a journalist, about my life, working in ‘difficult countries’ as a woman and so on. He said very little about himself, nothing more than “With God’s help I manage…” Archbishop Anastasios made the difference right there in front of my eyes, because in contrast to other high-ranking clergy who loved to speak about themselves and were eager about an interview, the humble servant of God and the people had focused his interest on me and not on him.

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Illness and Death

Archbishop Anastasios died at a hospital in Athens on Saturday. He was admitted to a hospital in Tirana with flu in early December but his condition deteriorated due to stomach perforation and he was airlifted to Athens to be treated at Evangelismos Hospital. He underwent surgery and remained intubated in ICU until his death.
“His Beatitude fell asleep in the Lord today… at Evangelismos Hospital in Athens, due to multiple organ failure,” the Orthodox Church of Albania said in a press release.
Πλήθος κόσμου στη Μητρόπολη στο λαϊκό προσκύνημα για τον Αναστάσιο - Όσα  κατέγραψε ο φακός - CNN.gr
Anastasios’ body was laid in repose at the Athens Metropolis cathedral on Sunday morning and will remain there until Monday morning so that politicians and common people can pay their respect with a candle or some flowers.
Πλήθος κόσμου στο λαϊκό προσκύνημα για τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αναστάσιο | ΕΦΣΥΝ

The body will be transported to Albania for a funeral service and burial on Tuesday, scheduled to be attended by Archbishop of Athens Ieronymous, the Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeow and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The Greek Orthodox population in Albania, especially the Greek ethnic minority, has asked that his body will be carried through their villages and liturgies be held.

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