LAST UPDATED: 21.23
The body of the late Archbishop of Albania has arrived in Tirana, where it will be displayed for public veneration.
The reception of the Archbishop’s relic will take place at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tirana.
It is reminded that the procession with the relic of the blessed Archbishop of Albania, Anastasios, started just before 4:00 AM on Tuesday, heading toward Tirana.
The Greek Church handed over the body to the Albanian Church at Kakavia, where the band and the honor guard of the 8th Infantry Brigade of Ioannina paid their respects, honoring one of the most distinguished Hierarchs of Orthodoxy.
The body was received by Metropolitan Dimitrios of Gjirokastër, while dozens of faithful gathered at the border station to pay their final respects.
After the reception, the Metropolitan of Gjirokastër performed a Trisagion service in memory of the departed, praying for the repose of his soul.
The body was then transported to the city of Gjirokastër, where it was placed for a short period of time for public veneration at the Metropolitan Church of the Resurrection of Christ. From there, the journey continued to Tirana, where, from the afternoon, the body will be displayed for public veneration at the Cathedral of the Resurrection.
The delegation includes Metropolitan Nikolaos of Apollonia and Fier, Bishop Anastasios of Krujë, as well as the priests Fr. Charalampos Giokas and Fr. Spyridon Topantzas. From the Church of Greece, the body is accompanied by the Vice President of the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Ierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios.
