LAST UPDATE: 15:00
With his burial in the specially designated crypt beneath the Cathedral of the Resurrection of the Lord in Tirana, as per his own wishes, Orthodox primates, clergy, faithful, and political leaders from Albania and Greece gathered to bid a final farewell to Archbishop Anastasios of Albania.
The Funeral Service, presided over by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, concluded shortly after 14:00 Greek time. Eulogies were delivered by the Ecumenical Patriarch, Locum Tenens of the Archdiocesan Throne Metropolitan Ioannis of Korçë, Secretary General of the World Council of Churches, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Inside the crowded Cathedral, in addition to Metropolitan Ioannis of Korçë, were Metropolitans Dimitrios of Gjirokastra, Antonios of Elbasan, Nathaniel of Berat, Astios of Amantia, and Nikolaos of Apollonia and Fier. Also present were Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens, Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, and Metropolitan George of Guinea, representative of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in Athens. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, along with Metropolitan Antony of Volokolamsk representing the Patriarchate of Moscow, were also in attendance, alongside a delegation from the Holy Community of Mount Athos, including abbots from Simono Petra and Xenophontos Monasteries.
The funeral was further honored by the presence of Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Chairman of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, as well as Metropolitan Nifon of Târgoviște on behalf of the Patriarchate of Romania.
To accommodate the thousands who gathered outside, a giant screen was set up, allowing the public to witness the service taking place inside the cathedral.
The late Archbishop was honored by the attendance of Albanian President Bajram Begaj, Prime Minister Edi Rama, opposition leader Sali Berisha, and members of the Albanian state and political leadership, as well as representatives of diplomatic missions.
Among the Greek officials present were Foreign Minister G. Gerapetritis, Defense Minister N. Dendias, Education Minister K. Pierrakakis, PASOK President Nikos Androulakis, Syriza President Socrates Famellos, MEP Freddy Beleris, and Olympic champion Pyrros Dimas.
Photos: Archdiocese of Albania
