Believers of all ages from Greece and Albania gathered at the Church of the Annunciation on Sunday to pay their respects to the late Archbishop Anastasios of Albania.
The body of the revered Archbishop will depart from the Cathedral of Athens on Monday morning, accompanied by the solemn sounds of the Navy band. On Tuesday, January 28, the body will be transported to Albania by road through the Kakavia border station, where an honorary contingent will bid farewell.
The delegation escorting the body includes Metropolitan Nikolaos of Apollonia and Fieri, Bishop Anastasios of Krujë, and priests Fr. Charalambos Gjokas and Fr. Spyridon Topantzas, who were close collaborators in the revival of the Church of Albania following decades of persecution.
Representing the Church of Greece, Metropolitan Ierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios, vice-president of the Holy Synod, will also accompany the body.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Metropolis of Athens in the presence of the body of the late Archbishop Anastasios.
Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens performed Trisagion service
Yesterday, January 26, the Divine Liturgy presided over by Metropolitan Ierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios, Vice-President of the Holy Synod. After its completion, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece performed a Trisagion service for the repose of the soul.Five-day mourning declared in the Church of Albania
The Holy Synod of Albania has declared a five-day mourning period following the passing of the late Archbishop Anastasios.
The Holy Synod, which convened in an extraordinary session on Saturday, elected Metropolitan Ioannis of Korçë as the Locum Tenens of the Archdiocesan Throne.
Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania reposed in the Lord on Saturday, January 25, at the age of 95, at Evangelismos Hospital in Athens due to multi-organ failure. His passing followed a multi-day stay at Hygeia Hospital in Tirana.
Photos: Christos Bonis/Archdiocese of Athens/Eurokinissi
