The entire Orthodox world bid farewell on Thursday to Archbishop Anastasios, the man who revived the Church of Albania after years of suffering and persecution under communism.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew led the funeral service at the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Tirana.
Joining the full synod of the Albanian Orthodox Church, the funeral was attended by Patriarchs Theodoros of Alexandria, Theophilos III of Jerusalem, and Daniil of Bulgaria, as well as Archbishops George of Cyprus, Ieronymos of Athens, and other representatives from local Orthodox Churches.
The Romanian Patriarchate was represented by His Eminence Hon Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Târgoviște and patriarchal exarch. Several Albanian state officials, including President Bajram Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama, were also in attendance.
In a message sent for the occasion, Patriarch Daniel of Romania described the late Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania as “a dynamic and diligent servant in the vineyard of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
He also highlighted Anastasios’ deep brotherly love for the Romanian people and the Romanian Orthodox Church, which he visited multiple times, continuously fostering cooperation and fraternal Orthodox solidarity.
The ceremony was broadcast on a large screen outside the National Cathedral, allowing thousands of people to pay their last respects to Archbishop Anastasios.
At the end of the service, his body was laid to rest in a special crypt within the cathedral, in accordance with his final wishes.
Photo: Orthodox Church of Albania
