Archbishop Anastasios of Albania laid to rest in Tirana
Funeral service of Archbishop Anastasios in Tirana. Photo: UOJ
On January 30, 2025, the Resurrection Cathedral of the Albanian Orthodox Church held the funeral service for its Primate, Archbishop Anastasios. The Albanian branch of UOJ broadcasted the service live on Facebook.
The burial service was led by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, assisted by Albanian hierarchs: Metropolitan Demetrios of Gjirokastër, Metropolitan Antonios of Elbasan, Metropolitan Astios of Berat, Metropolitan Nikolaos of Apollonia and Fier, Metropolitan Ioannis of Korça, Metropolitan Nathanail of Amantia, and Metropolitan Anastasios of Krujë.
Also present in prayer were Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens, Metropolitan Niphon of Târgoviște (Romanian Patriarchate), Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk (Russian Orthodox Church), as well as abbots from the Athonite monasteries of Simonopetra and Xenophontos.
Among the attendees were the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, Prime Minister Edi Rama, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and other political figures from Greece and Albania.
The vast Resurrection Cathedral was completely filled, with thousands of people praying outside in the square.
After the funeral service, bishops and priests carried the coffin by hand to the burial site in the crypt beneath the cathedral.
Earlier, the UOJ reported on the Testament of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania regarding Ukraine.
Read also
Macedonian Church to consider OCU recognition after Easter
If the Synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric includes this issue on the agenda of its meeting, the commission will prepare a final report on the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).
Another basement space consecrated for a persecuted UOC parish in Cherkasy
The facility was purchased and converted into a temporary church by the faithful themselves.
The Washington Post: Ukraine’s populace will shrink to 25 million by 2050
According to official estimates, Ukraine’s total population is currently less than 36 million people, but the real numbers may be even lower.
Patriarch of Georgia: I kneel and ask forgiveness from all whom I have hurt
The Patriarch addressed the Lord with a prayer to eradicate the spirit of judgment, envy, hostility, and malice, and to grant the faithful a pure heart and a righteous spirit.
U.S. Intelligence Chief: Kyiv talks about freedom but shuts down churches
Tulsi Gabbard emphasized that religious freedom is not upheld in Ukraine.
UOC Primate: During Lent, we must fight not each other but the devil
Metropolitan Onuphry reminded the faithful about the prayer rule for Great Lent.