Farewell was given to the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania, Anastas Janullatos, through a funeral ceremony held at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ.
Clergy from around the world, religious representatives, diplomats and even Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis gathered in Tirana to bid farewell to Anastasius, a figure known and appreciated throughout the Orthodox world.
The first in line to be honored were the heads of state of Albania, President Bajram Begaj, the Speaker of the Parliament, Elisa Spiropali, and Prime Minister Edi Rama, while political divisions stopped on this day as the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, stood next to the head of government to honor him.
In honor of the hierarch of the Orthodox Church, a one-hour mass led by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople was held at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, while the funeral ceremony took place for more than 2 hours.
The supervising Metropolitan of the Archbishop's Throne, Ioannis, opened and delivered the speech at the funeral service.
"He gave our Church everything he had: his extraordinary spiritual and intellectual wealth, his knowledge and wisdom, his mature and clear thinking, the loving care of a spiritual shepherd, and the unwavering dedication of a Christian conscious of the present and future of humanity," said Joan.
Prime Minister Edi Rama, in his speech, highlighted the Archbishop's activity but also his contribution to Albania.
"With his body that he left here and will be buried in the cathedral as he called it with his own name "Resurrection of Christ". He came to Albania as a priest from Greece, but leaves as the Anastasius of Albania.
I know that there are many Albanians who do not agree with what I said, but patience and let them reflect with this peaceful patience. And see some of his works, just as the good tree is known from its beginnings. Today the name of the Archbishop of Albania is heard in the languages of the world and when you hear this liturgical honor, it is impossible not to be grateful", said Rama
He also focused on the appointment of the new archbishop, who will be Albanian.
"My successor will be Albanian," said the archbishop. "I have been traveling around the world since 1963. I have learned to respect others as they are, to think about their rights. Imagine if we had a similar situation in Greece. Would we accept a Bulgarian or a Serb leading the Church of Greece? Of course not. I consider it natural that my successor be Albanian," Rama added.
Words that were greeted with affirmative applause even from the believers.
The participation of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the funeral ceremony was also accompanied by a speech about the work of the archbishop and his role in bringing peoples closer together.
"The Archbishop was always a bridge of friendship between the two peoples and a link of communication between the two states. Therefore, with full right, he can be called the "diplomat of love." A mission that he fulfilled with prudence and conscience, but also with unwavering determination," said the Greek Prime Minister.
Archbishop Anastasios' only relative, his niece, was also present at this farewell.
At the end of the funeral service, the world clergy confirmed their support for the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania even after the installation of the new Archbishop.
"The mother church, the Patriarchate of Constantinople, will embrace the new Archbishop with love, whoever he may be, and will always stand by him, ready to support him in every need of the Autocephalous Church of Albania," said Bartholomew.
Archbishop Anastasios passed away at the age of 95 on January 25, 2025 in Athens. He was enthroned as head of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church on August 2, 1992, a full 33 years ago at the age of 63. He now rests in the tomb built in the basement of the Cathedral. (A2 Televizion)
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