Today, the Metropolitan Church of Saint Dimitrios in Berat witnessed a momentous event—the enthronement of the newly elected Metropolitan of Berat, Astios, in the presence of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania.
The solemn ceremony was graced by the participation of esteemed hierarchs, including Metropolitans Ioannis of Korçë, Nikolaos of Apollonia and Fier, Antonios of Elbasan, and Nathaniel of Amantia, who joined in the celebratory service to honor and welcome the new Metropolitan.
Metropolitan Astios was elected on November 14, 2024, by the Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, under the chairmanship of Archbishop Anastasios, in accordance with the Church’s Statute. His election marks a significant milestone for the Metropolis of Berat.
Assuming his pastoral and administrative responsibilities, Metropolitan Astios embarks on his mission with the blessings of the Archbishop and the enthusiastic support of the faithful.
Brief Biography of Metropolitan Astios
Metropolitan Astios (Bakalbasis) of Berat, Vlora, and Kanina was born in Durrës in 1974. He completed his theological education at the Theological-Hieratic Seminary in Durrës (1993-1997) and pursued further studies at the Theological School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, earning a degree from the Department of Theology (1998-2003). He later completed his postgraduate studies (Master’s) at the same school (2010-2012).
In his ecclesiastical journey, he was ordained as a deacon in August 2003, promoted to archdeacon in November 2006, and consecrated as a hieromonk and archimandrite in November 2009. In January 2012, he was ordained as the titular Bishop of Byllis. Since then, he has served as Assistant Bishop to the Archbishop and, from early 2018 until the present, as the Protosyncellus of the Archdiocese of Tirana.
In addition to his liturgical and pastoral duties, Metropolitan Astios has contributed significantly to various church activities and services. He has been involved in the administration of the Archdiocese of Tirana, taught as an adjunct professor at the Theological Academy of St. Vlasius in Durrës, and served as a collaborator and co-director at the church’s radio station “Anastasis” (“Resurrection”) since 2005. He was also a key organizer for the youth of the Metropolis of Tirana (2010-2018) and has been a member of the Executive Council of the Interreligious Council of Albania since 2018.
Throughout his ministry, Metropolitan Astios has participated in numerous international conferences and has represented the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania in various inter-Orthodox and inter-Christian meetings.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
