The journey of Anastasios

A graduate of the 2nd High School of Arenas of Athens, he studied at the Athens Theological School of the National and Kapodistrian University to receive his degree in 1952, also with honours, achieving the highest graduate score of the Athens Theological School – 9.53. He continued his postgraduate studies in Religious Studies, Ethnology, Ethnology, Evangelical Studies, and African Studies at the Universities of Hamburg and Marburg, Germany (1965-69), as a fellow of the German Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

After graduating from the Alexander Humboldt University of Humboldt University in Berlin, he was a member of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Alexander von Humboldt Foundation).

He was awarded a doctorate from the Faculty of Theology of the University of Athens (1970, unanimously excellent, with special prize). During his military service (1952-54), he attended the Syros Reserve Officers’ School and the Haidarion Intervessel School, where he excelled and became “Chief of the School”.

He was promoted to Associate Professor of the History of Religions at the University of Athens, appointed Director of the Department of Religious Studies and Sociology (1983-1986), and from 1976 he became Full Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Athens (1983-1987), from which he retired in 1997 as Professor Emeritus, having developed significant scientific work.

In Greece, he served initially as a lay theologian and worked in various areas of internal missionary work – preaching, Christian writing, catechesis, organizing Bible study circles, and youth and student camps.

He was very active in Orthodox youth organizations and 1959 he founded the first missionary magazine in Greece, entitled “Porefthenites”. He also established the Greek-speaking missionary consciousness in the 20th^th century, with the foundation of the “Diorthodox Missionary Centre”.

East Africa

Archimandrite since 1964, Anastasios turned his work to Africa, especially to Uganda but also to Tanzania and Kenya, exploring the possibilities of systematic Orthodox missionary work.

He founded and subsequently organized the Patriarchal School “Archbishop Makarios of Cyprus”, which he directed for a decade. He ordained 62 African clergy and consecrated 42 readers – catechists from eight African tribes, including the first four Tanzanian clergymen. At the same time, he promoted the translations of the Divine Liturgy in four African languages.

He saw to the consolidation of about 150 Orthodox parishes and nuclei and the construction of dozens of churches; he erected seven missionaries and saw to the establishment of schools and medical stations.

It should be noted that during his missionary excursions, he made sure to immerse himself in local dialects to have direct communication with his flock. Therefore, apart from his mother tongue and ancient Greek, Anastasios spoke English, French, German, and Albanian and knew Latin, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Kiswahili.

He also studied the various religions (African religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Islam) in the flourishing countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Tanzania, Nigeria, India, Thailand, Ceylon, Korea, Japan, China, Brazil, Karabakh, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Turkey, etc.).

He had to, interrupt his missionary work in Africa when he contracted malaria. Anastasios founded the missionary magazine Always the Nations, which he directed from 1981 to 1991, and during the same period, (1981 – 1991), he was back in Africa serving as Metropolitan of East Africa.

Ecclesial and social ministry

Anastasios became a monk at the Holy Monastery of Asomaton – Petraki (1.8.1960). Subsequently, he was ordained, a Priest with the title of Archimandrite, and Titular Bishop of Androusa for the organic position of Director General of the “Apostolic Ministry of the Church of Greece”.

From the position of Director General of the “Apostolic Ministry”, he promoted various theological, educational, building, and publishing programs of the Church.

By order of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, he wrote three Catechetical Aids for the teachers of the Inter-Catechetical Schools of the Church of Greece.

During his studies in Germany, he served the Greek workers and students there as a priest.

He always stood close to the young people especially the students, ministering to them. In fact, in February 1973 he went to the law school of the University of Athens, occupied by students protesting against the dictatorship, carrying food, and encouraging the students. Later, he did not hesitate to complain to the ESA about the conditions of detention.

In addition, Anastasios mobilized the competent agents of the Ministry of Culture and the Holy Metropolises of Greece to record the ecclesiastical relics.

In particular, he developed the field of foreign missionary work through his constant support for the missionary teams of Korea, India, and Africa and through the organisation of the Week of Foreign Mission.

Anastasios in Albania

Anastasios’ ecclesiastical work culminated in the mission requested of him by the Ecumenical Patriarchate to restore from the ruins the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, which had collapsed after 46 years of persecution by the only “atheistic state” in the world.

He initially worked as a Patriarchal Exarch (Jan. 1991 – June 1992). He was elevated to Metropolitan of Andros (Aug 1991 – Jun 1992) and elected Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania (24 June 1992).

Amid enormous difficulties, he managed to fundamentally reconstruct the Autocephalous Church of Albania and formulated a new Charter (2006).

A formal Agreement with the Government of Albania, which became the law of the State in 2009, defined the relations between the Church and the State. Over 400 parishes were established. It founded the Theological-Episcopal School (Academy) “Anastasis” in Durres in 1992, the Ecclesiastical Lyceum “Timios Stavros” in Argyrokastro and Suqth-Durres as well as the School of Byzantine Music in Tirana. It should be noted that they all operate in privately owned boarding school complexes.

He ordained and consecrated 168 new clergy. He established Youth Centres in various cities. He took care of translation efforts, and the publishing of liturgical and other religious books. Established a Technical Service of the Church and ensured the reconstruction of 150 new churches, restored 60 churches and monasteries-cultural monuments, and repaired 160 churches and 70 ecclesiastical buildings for schools, youth centres, health centres, hostels, workshops, soup kitchens for the poor, etc., in total 450 buildings. He developed the Church’s charitable care, distributing hundreds of tons of food, clothing, and medicines.

Founded the first Orthodox Albanian newspaper Ngjallja “Anastasis”, the children’s magazine Gëzohu “Hail”, the youth magazine Kambanat “Bells”, the scientific journal Kërkim “Research”, the newsletter “News from Orthodoxy in Albania” and Radio-Ngjallja. He took care of the creation of Church Workshops (printing house, waxworks, carpenter’s workshop, iconography, and icon restoration workshops). He fought for the claim of church property.

He fought for the claim of church property.

Along with the restoration of the Orthodox Church, he developed pioneering programs in the fields of education, health, social welfare, rural development, culture, and ecology. He founded the Orthodox “Evangelismos” Clinic (Diagnostic Medical Centre) with 24 specialties and three polyclinics in other cities; also the Institute of Vocational Training, with six specialties in Tirana and four specialties in Argyrokastro, which operated between 1998-2008 and was subsequently upgraded to the “Logos” University College.

General and Vocational Lyceum in Mesopotamia. Three nine-year schools and high schools in Tirana, Dyrrhachio, Korytsa, and Argyrokastro, a boarding school for high school students in Vouliarati, and 19 kindergartens in different cities. He took care of the construction of roads, aqueducts, bridges, the repair of public schools, etc.

During the period 2013 – 2019, the construction of three hydroelectric projects with a total capacity of 19 MW (Librazhd, Llenge, Sllabinja) was carried out, which contributed to the strengthening of the country’s infrastructure and has a clear social purpose. With their revenues, the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania will continue its spiritual, charitable, and educational efforts. After the loans are repaid, a percentage will be allocated to poorer Orthodox Churches.

With all these initiatives, thousands of people have been given jobs, serious social infrastructure projects have been created and the Albanian Orthodox Church has emerged as a versatile spiritual and developmental factor.

The Archbishop was also a founding member and occasionally President of the Inter-religious Biblical Society of Albania and the Inter-religious Council of Albania, which was awarded by the President of the Republic with the highest decoration “Nderi i Kombit” (Honour of the Nation) (2021).

During the Kosovo crisis (1999), he organized a wide-ranging humanitarian program, which helped about 33,000 refugees in different parts of Albania. He connected the Church of Albania with international Church organizations. During the tension between Greece and Albania, he helped to defuse it and bring the two countries closer together. At the same time, he fought for the mitigation of conflicts in the Balkans. In 2000, on the recommendation of 33 academics of the Academy of Athens and many Albanian personalities, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The international work of Anastasios

Archbishop Anastasios of Albania developed a strong international interchurch activity. He participated in international organizations and scientific committees. He participated in many international conferences, inter-Orthodox, inter-Christian, and inter-religious meetings, representing the Church or science in various international organizations. He has given lectures at universities abroad mainly on topics related to contemporary Christian thought, inter-religious dialogue, global solidarity, and peace. He was, among others, President of the World Council of Churches (2006) and Honorary President of the “World Conference of Religions for Peace” (2006).

Writing

Archbishop Anastasios of Albania had authored and published 24 books (religious studies, missionary essays, Orthodox spirituality) and more than 200 studies and articles of theological or religious content. His books and various texts have been translated into 17 languages. During his long Orthodox martyrdom, he combined theological knowledge and religious studies with missionary and pastoral ministry, with social sensitivity and contribution.

His contributions to scholarship, contemporary Christian witness, inter-Christian outreach, inter-religious dialogue, and the peaceful coexistence of peoples and religions are internationally recognized.

Distinctions

He was awarded the Order of the Holy Cross of the Apostle and Evangelist Mark, First Class, of the Patriarchate of Alexandria (1985); of St. Catherine of the Sinai Monastery (1985); of Cyril and Methodius of the Orthodox Church of Czechoslovakia (1986). He received the Silver Medal of the Academy of Athens, ‘as an inspirer and pioneer of missionary theology and action’ (1987); the Golden Cross with laurel from the Greek Red Cross (1994), ‘for his valuable services to Orthodoxy, the Church, The Order of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Great Grand Prince Vladimir (1st class) of the Russian Church (1998); the Order of the Apostle Andrew of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (1999); the Grand Cross of the Order of the Orthodox Crusaders of the Holy Sepulchre (2000).

The “Lifetime Achievement Award” of the Council of Expatriate Hellenism, for its efforts for peace and cooperation among the peoples of the Balkans and the strengthening of the ecumenical spirit of Orthodoxy (2000).

He was also awarded the Athenagoras Human Rights Award 2001 (New York); the “Pro Humanitate” (2001), of the European Cultural Foundation Pro Europe (Freiburg); the Grand Cross of the Order of Apostle Paul of the Church of Greece (2001); the Gold Medal of Honour and Glory of the City of Athens (2001); the Golden Key of the City of Thessaloniki (2002), of Lamia (2002); the “Odysseus Award” of the World Federation of Cephalonia and Ithaca (2002); Honorary Citizen of Cephalonia (2002); the Polish Humanitarian Award, “Ecce Homo” for consistent action with selfless love for fellow human beings (2003). Medal of the City of Athens (2003).

Medal of the President of the Republic of Romania (2003). Gold Medal of the First Class of the Municipality of Piraeus (2005). Honorary citizen of Tirana (2005) and Korica (2007). Award for ‘distinguished activities for the unity of the Orthodox Nations’ (Moscow 2006). Order ‘Prince Yaroslav the Wise’, 3rd class, of the Republic of Ukraine (2008); ‘Great Golden Order of St. Barnabas the Apostle’ of the Church of Cyprus (2008).

The Order of the Great Golden Order of St. Barnabas of the Church of Cyprus (2008).

Grand Cross of Apostle Mark of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa (2009). Order of ‘George Castriotis – Skenderbey’ of the Republic of Albania (2010)

Supreme Order of the Church of Serbia of the Emperor St. Constantine the Great (2013)

Supreme Order “Prince Yaroslav the Wise” of the First Class of the Republic of Ukraine (2013). The Order of St. John Vladimirov of the Patriarchate of Serbia (2016)

The Order of St. John Vladimirov of the Patriarchate of Serbia (2015).

Honorary citizen of Dyrrachi (2016), Kalamata (2016), Larissa (2017), Preveza (2017). Botsi Foundation at the 35th Demographic Awards – Special honorary distinction for his entire work (January 2019). German “Klaus Hemmerle” award of the Fokolare movement for the contribution to the rapprochement and peaceful coexistence of peoples and cultures (2020).