The Academy of Athens expressed its condolences “for the death of a great Hierarch and its honorary member” for the death of the Archbishop of Albania, Anastasios.

In a statement, the Academy of Athens states the following: “The late hierarch was born in Piraeus in 1929. He studied Theology, Religious Studies and African Studies at the Universities of Athens, Marburg and Hamburg, became a doctor of the Theological School of the University of Athens and was, among other things, a scholar of Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. He was elected Professor of History of Religions at the Theological School of the University of Athens where he taught for twenty years. He was the director of the Department of Religion and Sociology as well as the Dean of the School, while he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Theology and Philosophy in many universities around the world, such as the Universities of Brookline Ma., Thessaloniki (AUTH), Ioannina and the Theological Academy of Moscow. He developed remarkable missionary activity in Kenya and other African countries. He was also – among others – General Director of the Apostolic Ministry of the Church of Greece and President of the World Mission Assembly of the World Council of Churches.

The Blessed Archbishop Mr. Anastasios developed a rich writing, publishing and teaching work. In 1992 he was elected Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and all of Albania. From this position he achieved the reconstruction of the Autocephalous Church of Albania while offering his services in a critical period of poverty and political-social upheaval, maintaining his peace-making attitude. In the context of his ministry, more than 400 parishes were established, he founded priestly schools and developed pioneering programs in the fields of education, health, social welfare, rural development, culture and ecology. With these works, he simultaneously succeeded in making his Archdiocese financially independent. He also contributed creatively to the international quest for world peace, participating for 35 years in positions of responsibility of the World Council of Churches, particularly in the dialogue with peoples of other religions and denominations.

For his work he received important distinctions including the Golden Cross with laurel of the Hellenic Red Cross (1994), the Grand Cross of the Order of Honor of the Hellenic Republic (1997) and the German “Klaus Hemmerle” award (2020) for his contribution in the rapprochement and peaceful coexistence of peoples and cultures. He has been a corresponding member of the Academy of Athens since 1993 and an honorary member since 2006. He worked to highlight the importance of solidarity, tolerance and harmonious coexistence of peoples, stressing that “religion is a divine gift to soften hearts, to heal wounds and peacefully bring people closer together.”

The Academy of Athens expresses its sincere condolences for the death of a great Hierarch and honorary member to the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, but also to the whole world of priesthood and Christianity. She also flies the flag of her House at half-mast for three days from the announcement of his sleep.”