40-day memorial service for Archbishop Anastasios in Albania

In an atmosphere of deep emotion, a memorial service for the late Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania was held on Saturday, 1 March 2025, at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tirana, Albania.

His Eminence Metropolitan Ioannis of Korçë presided over the Divine Liturgy and the memorial service, and was joined by His Eminence Metropolitan Isaac of Germany and Central Europe of the Patriarchate of Antioch, Their Eminences, Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu and Metropolitan Demetrios of Kefallinia from the Church of Greece, as well as members of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, including Their Eminences, Metropolitan Demetrios of Gjirokastra, Metropolitan Nikolaos of Apollonia and Fier, Metropolitan Antonios of Elbasan, Metropolitan Astios of Berat, Metropolitan Nathanael of Amantia, and His Grace Bishop Anastasios of Kruja.

The representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Their Eminences, Metropolitan Joseph of Proikonnisos and Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia, also took part in prayer.

The Cathedral was filled with clergy and lay members of the Church of Albania, along with representatives from the Archdiocese’s religious, educational, and charitable institutions, as well as visitors who gathered to honour the memory of the late Primate of the Church of Albania.

During the Memorial Service, Metropolitan Joseph of Proikonnisos, representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and Metropolitan Ioannis of Korçë, the locum tenens, delivered speeches.

The will of the late Archbishop Anastasios of Albania was then read aloud. The speakers highlighted his great missionary, spiritual, and social contributions, through which the Orthodox Church of Albania was rebuilt from the devastation of atheistic persecution.

Following the service, Metropolitan Joseph of Proikonnisos chanted a Trisagion at the late Archbishop’s grave, located in the crypt beneath the Holy Altar of the Cathedral. A reception was then held for the congregation.