Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland offered his condolences on the passing of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania in a telegram to the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Albanian Orthodox Church. He highlighted the Archbishop’s significant contributions to Orthodoxy and his lasting impact.
“On behalf of the Orthodox Church in Poland, I express sincere condolences to the episcopate, clergy, and faithful of the Albanian Orthodox Church on the passing of His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania,” stated Metropolitan Sawa.
The Polish Orthodox Church promised prayers for the Archbishop’s soul. “On January 25, 2025, during the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene in Warsaw, on the feast day of Saint Sava of Serbia, we prayed for his soul’s peace,” the message noted.
Metropolitan Sawa praised Archbishop Anastasios as “a remarkable man, clergyman, theologian, and leader who revitalized the Church of Albania from its ruins.” He also acknowledged the Archbishop’s commitment to Orthodox unity, describing him as “particularly concerned about the lack of unity in the Orthodox Church.”
The message also acknowledged Archbishop Anastasios’ honorary doctorate from the Christian Theological Academy in Warsaw, highlighting the close relationship between the Churches. “We respected him, cherished him, and collaborated with him on various Church matters,” Metropolitan Sawa added.
The message ended with a prayerful tribute: “Memory eternal to him!”