Thousands of faithful in Albania revere the body of the late Abp Anastasios

Funeral service in the Metropolis of Gjirokastër. Photo: UOJ

On January 28, 2025, the body of the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Anastasios, who passed away in an Athens hospital on Saturday, was transported from Greece to Albania, according to the Greek edition of UOJ. At the Kakavijë border crossing, a large crowd of mourners gathered to bid farewell to the departed hierarch, whom many referred to as "their father".

On the other side of the border, in the towns of Derviçan and Gjirokastër, believers tearfully scattered laurel branches over the hearse and sang Paschal hymns. The first memorial service, led by Metropolitan Dimitrios, was held in the Metropolis of Gjirokastër, attended by clergy and students from schools established by Archbishop Anastasios.

By 4:00 PM local time, the procession will arrive in Tirana, where the body will remain for public veneration until Thursday. The funeral service is scheduled for Thursday at 11:00 AM. It will be presided over by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, with the participation of Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens, and representatives of all Local Churches.

The Albanian Church has declared a five-day mourning period until January 29. Archbishop Anastasios' ministry as the First Hierarch of the Church continued for over 30 years. He played a pivotal role in the revival of Orthodoxy in Albania after decades of communist persecution.

Previously, the UOJ published the Testament of Archbishop Anastasios regarding Ukraine.

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