Greece bids farewell to late Archbishop Anastastios of Albania
Believers from Greece and Albania gathered to bid farewell to the late Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, a revered figure in the Orthodox Church.
The body of the late Hierarch departed the Metropolis of Athens on Monday morning, accompanied by the solemn sounds of the Navy band. On Tuesday, 28 January 2025, the body will be transported by road to Albania through the border station of Kakavia, where it will be received with honours by an honorary contingent.
The body will be accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolaos of Apollonia and Fieri, His Grace Bishop Anastasios of Krujë, and priests Fr. Charalambos Gjokas and Fr. Spyridon Topantzas, who were among his closest collaborators in the revival of the Church of Albania after decades of persecution. Representing the Church of Greece, the Vice-President of the Holy Synod, His Eminence Metropolitan Ierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios, will also travel with the body.
“Thousands Gather to Pay Respects in Athens”
Since Sunday morning, thousands of believers have flocked to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens to pay their respects to Archbishop Anastasios, whose body lies in repose.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Sunday, 26 January 2025, in the presence of the late Archbishop’s body, with Metropolitan Ierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios presiding as Vice-President of the Holy Synod.
Joining in prayer were representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, including His Eminence Metropolitan Theodoritos of Laodicea, and the Patriarchate of Alexandria, represented by His Eminence Metropolitan Georgios of Guinea. His Eminence Archbishop Damianos of Sinai also participated in the service, along with Archimandrite Ioannis Karamouzis, Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece.
The service marked a solemn and prayerful farewell to Archbishop Anastasios, a shepherd who led the Church of Albania through a transformative era of restoration and revival.
Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens performed Trisagion service
On 26 January 2025, the Divine Liturgy was presided over by Metropolitan Ierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios, Vice-President of the Holy Synod. After its completion, His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece performed a Trisagion service for the repose of the soul of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania.
The Holy Synod of Albania has declared a five-day mourning period following the passing of the late Archbishop Anastasios.
The Holy Synod, which convened in an extraordinary session on Saturday, elected Metropolitan Ioannis of Korçë as the Locum Tenens of the Archdiocesan Throne.
Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania reposed in the Lord on Saturday, 25 January 2025, at the age of 95, at Evangelismos Hospital in Athens due to multi-organ failure. His passing followed a multi-day stay at Hygeia Hospital in Tirana.
Photographs: Christos Bonis / EUROKINISSI
Source: orthodoxtimes.com
