The 1st International Scientific Conference dedicated to the late Archbishop Anastasios concluded today its second day in Tirana, marking one year since his passing.
The conference will conclude on Saturday, while on Sunday, 25 January 2026, the anniversary of his death, a concelebrated hierarchal Divine Liturgy and memorial service will be held at the Tirana Cathedral.
Yesterday, Archbishop Ioannis paid tribute to his predecessor, Archbishop Anastasios, highlighting his unparalleled selfless contribution to Albania, the Church, and society, noting that he gave more than anyone else without seeking recognition or reward. As a close collaborator and eyewitness for over three decades, Archbishop Ioannis outlined Anastasios’s missionary journey from Greece to Africa and ultimately to Albania, where he led the rebirth of the Orthodox Church.
He emphasized that Anastasios’s principle that “we must always remain servants” was not merely ethical advice but a profound redefinition of Orthodox ecclesiology, especially relevant in a globalized and secularized world marked by fragmentation, isolation, and existential anxiety. The revival of the Church of Albania, he noted, was an extraordinary achievement, evolving not simply into restoration but into a comprehensive renewal on a far broader and stronger foundation.
Beyond construction and philanthropy, Archbishop Ioannis stressed that Anastasios’s central concern was cultivating a genuine spiritual ethos. Buildings, he explained, were never an end in themselves but instruments in service of people and the Church’s salvific mission. Anastasios consistently promoted love, respect, reconciliation, and forgiveness, a spirit he believed Albania and the entire world urgently need.
Archbishop Ioannis also underlined Anastasios’s major contribution to interreligious dialogue, particularly with Islam, emphasizing that he grounded dialogue in solid theological principles. His well-known statement that religion should heal wounds rather than ignite conflict became a lasting theological and moral reference in global discussions on faith and peace.
Concluding emotionally, Archbishop Ioannis attributed Anastasios’s remarkable legacy to deep faith, love for humanity, exceptional talent, and divine grace. Echoing Anastasios’s own words, he urged people not merely to admire his life but to continue his work as co-workers in the mission of the Church.
In his message, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew described the legacy of Archbishop Anastasios as a living call for the present and future. He emphasized that Anastasios’s missionary vision was inseparable from humility, dialogue, and love, and noted that the rebirth of the Church in Albania stands as a powerful example of reconciliation and peaceful coexistence. This legacy, he concluded, remains an active guide for inter-Christian and interreligious cooperation in today’s world.
Watch the full second day below:
