The 1st International Scientific Conference dedicated to the late Archbishop Anastasios has begun in Tirana.
The conference marks one year since his passing. The conference featured an address by Archbishop Ioannis of Albania and greetings, including those of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. There were also keynote presentations. The conference will conclude on Saturday. On Sunday, January 25, 2026—the anniversary of his death—a concelebrated hierarchical Divine Liturgy and memorial service will be held at the Cathedral of Tirana.
Speaking about his predecessor, Archbishop Ioannis emphasized, “I can say with absolute conviction that I know no one else who has given more to this country without asking for or receiving anything in return. By honoring Archbishop Anastasios’s work, we honor ourselves, our church, and our country.”
Archbishop Ioannis noted that he is not only a scholar of Anastasios’s theology but also a former close collaborator and eyewitness to his efforts to revive the Church of Albania over the course of more than thirty years. Archbishop Ioannis referred to phases of Anastasios’s mission, which began in Greece, expanded to Africa, and ultimately reached Albania with the goal of missionary renewal.
Archbishop Ioannis pointed out that Anastasios’s conviction that “we must always remain servants” is not merely a moral exhortation but a radical redefinition of Orthodox ecclesiology. He further observed that Anastasios clearly explained how
“In a fully secularized globalization, powerful incentives for division and isolation are created. Instead of individuals, there are only numbers. Pride in technological power is accompanied by a sense of weakness and existential anxiety at a personal level. While general freedom is proclaimed, a lack of individual freedom is experienced.”
He referred to the rebirth of the Orthodox Church of Albania, stating that: “It was a gigantic undertaking that seemed almost impossible at the beginning. Yet, the outcome was not merely a restoration within previous limits, but rather, a restructuring of the Church on a much higher and broader level. The empirical data are impressive and testify to an extraordinary achievement.”
After presenting evidence of Anastasios’s construction and philanthropic work in Albania, he discussed Anastasios’s struggle to instill a proper spiritual ethos within the Church, a priority throughout his ministry. As he noted, “For him, buildings were not an end in themselves, but only a means to fulfill the Church’s salvific mission. They were built for people and in their service. His public and private preaching consistently emphasized love and respect for every human being. He spread a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness within the Church. All of us who were close to him over the years can attest to this. Our country needs this spirit. The entire world needs this spirit because only upon this divine foundation can proper relationships among people be built.
He also spoke of Anastasios’ significant role in interreligious dialogue, particularly with Islam. The region has had contact with Islam for centuries. “His contribution is even greater because he grounded this dialogue in theological substance. Such voices are rare. His famous phrase, ‘The oil of religion must not be used by any side to ignite conflict, but rather to heal wounds and calm hearts,’ is not merely a poetic metaphor, but rather a theological program. These words are widely known and have become a central reference point when discussing the role of religion in our conflict-ridden world.”
His conclusion regarding Anastasios was emotional yet realistic: “The more time passes, the clearer his greatness becomes. I often wonder, along with many others, how he managed to accomplish a mission of such magnitude. The only answer is this: great faith and love for God and humanity, extraordinary talent, and abundant grace from God. He gave our church all his spiritual and intellectual wealth, knowledge, wisdom, and mature, lucid thought.
He concluded, “As he often told us, ‘I do not want admirers, but co-workers.’ Therefore, we should not only admire his life and work but also follow him, becoming his collaborators in the salvific work of our Lord Jesus Christ through his church.”
PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW: The Legacy of Anastasios as a Call to the Present and the Future
In his message, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew refers to the ecclesial ethos and missionary vision of Archbishop Anastasios, both of which are reflected in the conference’s theme. Among other things, he states that evangelization was never separated from humility, dialogue, and love in Anastasios’ personality.
He also mentions that the example of Albania shines as a guiding light in addressing vital issues of inter-Christian and interreligious cooperation. There, the Church was reborn from devastation and offered a compelling proposal of faith, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence. Thus, the legacy of Archbishop Anastasios continues to speak not as a memory locked in the past but as a living call to the present and future of the Church.
He emphasizes that the participation of young academics and theologians in this endeavor is a beacon of hope, ensuring the spiritual and doctrinal heritage is studied and transmitted with integrity. When such spiritual commitment is rooted in ecclesial consciousness, it serves not only the academic community but also the life and mission of the Church itself.
Finally, he hopes that the conference’s conclusions will be fruitful and contribute to strengthening theological understanding and mutual respect. He hopes they will also bear witness to a shared Christian presence in the contemporary world.
LEADER OF THE BEKTASHIS: Anastasios Lived Faith as Responsibility
The Head of the Interreligious Council of Albania and leader of the Bektashi community, Edmond Brahimaj, had especially laudatory and admiring words about Anastasios. He stated that the unforgettable Archbishop “lived faith as a responsibility toward society and understood knowledge as a tool for building bridges among people, cultures, and religions.” He affirmed that when practiced with wisdom and humility, religion becomes a powerful force for peace and understanding. He believed that religious coexistence is a universal value and a shared responsibility, especially in a world facing division, conflict, and uncertainty. Our cooperation was based on mutual respect, attentive listening, and the conviction that peace is built through joint action.
Brahimaj maintained that Anastasios was a leader who spoke with maturity and acted with responsibility. In difficult times, he was a calming presence, and in periods of change, he was a moral point of reference.
He also recalled their last meeting: “With the Archbishop, we engaged in a brotherly and deeply human dialogue, rich in wisdom and spiritual experience. This conversation reflected the depth of his leadership. During this significant discussion, we spoke about key interreligious issues and ways to strengthen cooperation and constructive dialogue between our communities. This dialogue will serve as an invaluable guide for developing stronger relationships, fostering mutual respect, and promoting enduring interfaith cooperation, building bridges of trust and fraternity between our communities.”
He concluded, “We reaffirm our shared commitment to continuing the path he embodied with dignity—the path of dialogue, mutual respect, and service to humanity beyond borders, cultures, and beliefs.”
Written by Fr. Ilias Makos / Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
