Albanian Church Synod adopts decisions following its Primate's death
Archbishop Anastasios. Photo: Romfea
The Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania held an extraordinary meeting on January 25, 2025, following the passing of Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania, reports Romfea.
The Synod expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their spiritual leader, offering gratitude for his immense contribution to the development of the Church and his steadfast support of Orthodox believers in Albania.
During the meeting, the following decisions were made:
- Metropolitan John of Korça was unanimously elected as the locum tenens of the archdiocesan throne.
- A period of mourning in honor of the late Archbishop Anastasios was declared from January 25 to 29, 2025.
- The body of Archbishop Anastasios will arrive at the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Tirana on January 28 at 4:00 PM. Public farewells will begin that day and continue on January 29.
- A memorial service will take place on January 30 at 11:00 AM, following the Divine Liturgy.
- At the conclusion of the meeting, the Synod held a memorial service, calling on all believers to join in prayer for the repose of Archbishop Anastasios, whose dedication profoundly transformed the spiritual life of the Church in Albania.
As previously reported by the UOJ, His Beatitude Onuphry extended condolences to the Synod of the Albanian Church.
Read also
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.