Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana Lying in State at Athens Cathedral

The body of Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania who died on Saturday aged 95 is lying in state at the Athens Orthodox cathedral until Monday morning, when it will be transported to Albania for a funeral service and burial.

The respected Church leader will be buried in Tirana, following his own wish. The funeral will take place on Thursday.

Political and military leaders, Church representatives and the Greek people paid tribute to the late Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana during a liturgy at the Greek Orthodox cathedral on Sunday morning, led by Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Aghios Vlassios, followed by a prayer led by Archbishop Hieronymos of Athens and All Greece ahead of his lying in state.

Anastasios was initially hospitalized with a viral infection in Tirana on December 30, and when his condition deteriorated he was transferred to the intensive care of a Greek hospital, where he died on Saturday morning.

A supportive Chrurch leader against bigotry and religious fanaticism

Anastasios, who was born in the port city of Piraeus, revived the Autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church in Albania that had been banned under the Communist regime in his adopted country.

A scholar, author, and missionary in Africa, the late archbishop was noted for his public works for all Albanians and his support of the Greek Ethnic Minority in Albania.

He is acknowledged for his promotion of interfaith dialog, and the schools, retirement homes, monasteries and churches built through his persistent efforts.

The President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, described Anastasios as “a church leader who took a stance against bigotry and religious fanaticism, looking to mutual understanding, dialog, and the fellowship and peaceful coexistence of peoples.”

Anastasios linked theological contemplation with practical and selfless service, she said.

“His constant support of the Greek Ethnic Minority and his interest in the progress of Albanian society in its entirety, without religious or racial discrimination, have left indelible impressions on the hearts of people he helped, supported, and loved.”

Archbishop Anastasios’ contribution to Orthodoxy is “invaluable,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in his message of condolences, adding that he was “a spiritual leader who also catered to human beings and their rights, at times as supporter of children of Africa and at other times as supporter of Greek university students standing up against the dictatorship.”

The Greek Parliament observed a minute of silence on Saturday, prior to a vote for next President of the Republic.