Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his heartfelt condolences on the passing of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, describing him as the “renovator and reformer” of the Church of Albania. In a telegram, the Patriarch highlighted Anastasios’ invaluable contributions to global Orthodoxy, Christian mission, interfaith dialogue, and the promotion of sacred theology.
“We express the heartfelt condolences of the Mother Church of Constantinople and our personal sympathies,” the message read. Patriarch Bartholomew also offered prayers for the repose of the Archbishop’s soul “in the Land of the Living and in the Tents of the Righteous,” expressing hope for the Lord to provide a worthy successor.
“May the memory of the late Archbishop Anastasios, our beloved brother and co-celebrant, be eternal and ever-blessed,” the Patriarch concluded.
Read the text of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s telegram:
On the passing of the late Primate of the Church of Albania, Archbishop Anastasios, its renovator and reformer, who rendered invaluable service to global Orthodoxy, Christian mission, the modern witness of the Church, inter-Christian and interreligious dialogue, the struggles for peace and reconciliation, as well as the promotion of sacred theology, we express the heartfelt condolences of the Mother Church of Constantinople and our personal sympathies.
We pray for the repose of the soul of the late Archbishop Anastasios in the Land of the Living and in the Tents of the Righteous, and we hope that the Lord of the Church, Christ, will become his worthy successor.
May the memory of the late Archbishop Anastasios, our beloved brother and co-celebrant, be eternal and ever-blessed.
Brotherly in the name of the Lord,
Patriarch Bartholomew
Photos: Nikos Papachristou