The body of the late Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durres, and All Albania is set to arrive in Tirana today, January 28, 2025, at 4 p.m. local time (5 p.m. Greek time). The reception will take place at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, where his body will lie in repose for the faithful to pay their respects.
The body will remain at the Cathedral throughout Tuesday night and all day Wednesday for public veneration. The Funeral Service is scheduled for Thursday, January 30, at 11 a.m. local time (12 p.m. Greek time), following the Divine Liturgy.
Tributes in Greece
On Sunday and Monday, believers from Greece and Albania visited the Metropolitan Church of the Annunciation in Athens, where the Archbishop’s body lay in repose. Following the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece performed a Trisagion service for the repose of his soul.
The service was attended by representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Patriarchate of Alexandria, and the Sinai Archdiocese, including Metropolitan Theodoretos of Laodicea, Metropolitan Georgios of Guinea, and Archbishop Damianos of Sinai.
On Monday morning, accompanied by the solemn sounds of the Greek Navy band, the Archbishop’s body departed the Athens Cathedral for Albania. It was transported by road through the border station of Kakavia, accompanied by clergy, including Metropolitan Nikolaos of Apollonia and Fieri, Bishop Anastasios of Krujë, and priests Fr. Charalambos Gjokas and Fr. Spyridon Topantzas. Representing the Church of Greece was Metropolitan Ierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios, Vice-President of the Holy Synod.
Mourning Declared in Albania
The Holy Synod of Albania declared a five-day mourning period in honor of Archbishop Anastasios. During an extraordinary session held on Saturday, the Synod elected Metropolitan Ioannis of Korçë as Locum Tenens of the Archdiocesan Throne.
Farewell from the Greek Minority
The Greek Minority in Albania is paying tribute to Archbishop Anastasios with Trisagia in Gjirokastër, Saranda, Himara, and nearby villages. Many members of the minority are expected to attend the Funeral Service and burial in Tirana. Along the route from Kakavia to Tepeleni, believers will gather to bid their final farewells.
Attendance of Greek Leaders
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece are expected to attend the Funeral Service in Tirana. They will honor the memory of a Hierarch who dedicated his life to the revival of the Albanian Orthodox Church.
A Life of Service
Archbishop Anastasios passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2025, 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. He is remembered for his tireless efforts in rebuilding the Albanian Orthodox Church after decades of persecution and for his profound contributions to global Orthodoxy.
