LAST UPDATE: 18:00
“Do not worry, we will get through the difficulties,” Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and all Albania said shortly before boarding on the Hellenic Air Force C130 aircraft, which transferred him to Athens for treatment, as he was tested positive for COVID-19.
It was deemed necessary that Archbishop Anastasios should be admitted to the Evangelismos Hospital to receive the appropriate treatment.
Speaking on the MEGA TV channel, the Archbishop of Tirana stressed, “I have been accustomed to ‘climbing down steep hills’ for 39 years now. We find a path and we move towards the glade again. I think that participating even in this way in the common pain is a gift of God.”
Referring to the health problem he is currently facing, he stated that (people) “should not always look at the negative side.” “The symptoms are minor. Yesterday, we faced a bigger difficulty. I have a sensitivity in the lungs. I think we will get through this. I will be in Evangelismos Hospital today this afternoon. Besides, I know Evangelismos Hospital and we used to have some difficulties. We overcame them. And do not be upset. We will overcome every obstacle. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. These things are a great consolation to us,” he added.
Archbishop Anastasios underwent relevant tests at a medical centre in Tirana which showed that he was infected with Covid-19.
Although the symptoms seem to be mild, the medics in Tirana considered it necessary to transfer and hospitalise the Archbishop in a specialised clinic in Greece, given his age and some chronic health problems.
The Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was informed about the issue and, therefore, gave his consent for his transfer from Tirana with a special unit aircraft called C 130.
