Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland expressed his condolences following the passing of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania in a telegram addressed to the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Albanian Orthodox Church. The statement highlighted the significant contributions of the late Archbishop to Orthodoxy and his enduring legacy.
“On behalf of the Orthodox Church in Poland, I extend sincere condolences to the episcopate, clergy, and faithful of the Albanian Orthodox Church on the repose of His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania,” Metropolitan Sawa stated.
The Polish Orthodox Church assured prayers for the repose of the Archbishop’s soul. “On January 25, 2025, during the Divine Liturgy in the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene in Warsaw, on the feast day of the great Saint Sava of Serbia, we prayed for the peace of his soul,” the message emphasized.
Metropolitan Sawa praised Archbishop Anastasios as “a great man, clergyman, distinguished theologian, and ecclesiastical leader who resurrected the Church of Albania from its ruins.” He also noted the Archbishop’s dedication to the unity of Orthodoxy, describing him as “particularly concerned about the lack of unity in the Orthodox Church.”
The message further recognized Archbishop Anastasios’ honorary doctorate from the Christian Theological Academy in Warsaw, reflecting the close ties between the Churches. “We loved him, valued him, and collaborated with him on various aspects of Church life,” Metropolitan Sawa remarked.
The message concluded with a prayerful tribute: “Memory eternal to him!”
