The Archbishop of Albania left behind a monumental legacy. Remarkably, he created this legacy virtually from scratch. On the rugged Albanian terrain, he constructed buildings and infrastructure.
He established a church with a clear foundation and direction, touching the heart of a nation at a time when making the sign of the cross could lead to imprisonment.
Today, this Church stands with a Holy Synod comprising seven Metropolitans, 182 priests, and a flock of 300,000 Orthodox faithful in a country with a population of 1.8 million.
A journalist recently wrote, “An ecclesiastical leader is not measured by buildings.” This statement is both right and wrong.
Spiritual work is measured not only by physical structures but also by the impact of those works. To inspire believers and gain the support of institutions, one must have offered meaningful catechesis and demonstrated true spiritual leadership. They believed in someone and entrusted their duty, effort, and volunteerism to him. The same was true for the Cathedrals in Tirana, Korçë, and Himara.
Archbishop Anastasios brought hope to Albania. Through his unwavering faith and integrity, he was chosen to accomplish a true miracle. Today, thanks to Archbishop Anastasios, 700-800 children attend Greek schools. He worked with the fear of God and resurrected a Church that had been left for dead.
The most remarkable thing he accomplished? He never compromised to survive in an environment dominated by atheists and Muslims. He did not betray his faith for acceptance. He did not conform to them— he transformed the landscape around him. He set his own boundaries, and through his unwavering commitment to his faith, he earned the respect and recognition of all.
The successor
The one who will The one who will succeed Archbishop Anastasios inherits a tremendous legacy. Metropolitan Ioannis of Korçë, Archbishop Anastasios’s most trusted hierarch, a scholar, and a leader aligned with the late Archbishop’s vision, emerges as the favored candidate. He follows the same spirit.
Meanwhile, the Greek government has left the Orthodox Church in the neighboring country to fend for itself —along with the Greek communities. There has been no concern, no strategy for the centers of Orthodoxy, where Greek roots run deep and remain intrinsically linked to the heart of Hellenism.
There is no care for the Monastery of Sinai, no interest in the plight of the Patriarchate of Antioch, which faces displacement from Damascus. There is no coordinated cooperation with the Ecumenical Patriarchate or its Metropolises abroad.
What is needed is a plan, a strategy—an active approach to safeguarding these crucial spiritual and cultural centers. Because, contrary to misconceptions, where the heart of Orthodoxy beats, Hellenism also breathes.
The neglect of past decades is not a distant issue; soon, it will be staring us in the face…
Melchizedek
*Published in the newspaper “Orthodoxi Alitheia”
