Believers from Greece and Albania gathered to bid farewell to the late Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, a revered figure in the Orthodox Church.
The body of the late Hierarch departed the Metropolis of Athens on Monday morning, accompanied by the solemn sounds of the Navy band. On Tuesday, January 28, the body will be transported by road to Albania through the border station of Kakavia, where it will be received with honors by an honorary contingent.
The body will be accompanied by Metropolitan Nikolaos of Apollonia and Fieri, Bishop Anastasios of Krujë, and priests Fr. Charalambos Gjokas and Fr. Spyridon Topantzas, who were among his closest collaborators in the revival of the Church of Albania after decades of persecution. Representing the Church of Greece, the Vice-President of the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Ierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios, will also travel with the body.
“Thousands Gather to Pay Respects in Athens”
Since Sunday morning, thousands of believers have flocked to the Metropolis of Athens to pay their respects to Archbishop Anastasios, whose body lies in repose.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Sunday, January 26, in the presence of the late Archbishop’s body, with Metropolitan Ierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios presiding as Vice-President of the Holy Synod.
Joining in prayer were representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, including Metropolitan Theodoretos of Laodicea, and the Patriarchate of Alexandria, represented by Metropolitan Georgios of Guinea. Archbishop Damianos of Sinai also participated in the service, along with Archimandrite Ioannis Karamouzis, Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece.
The service marked a solemn and prayerful farewell to Archbishop Anastasios, a shepherd who led the Church of Albania through a transformative era of restoration and revival.
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: EUROKINISSI
