Archbishop Anastasios: The final farewell to the great hierarch – Mitsotakis: We bow to the greatness of a remarkable personality (updated)

A great hierarch of the Orthodox Church has passed into history. The blessed Archbishop Anastasios was laid to rest in a special crypt he himself had designed, next to the Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Tirana.

Presided over by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the funeral service was held in an atmosphere of deep emotion.

Attending the service were Orthodox Patriarchs, Archbishops, church delegations, a representative of the World Council of Churches, Vatican representatives, and the leaders of Albania’s religious communities.

Archbishop Ieronymos arrived alongside Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Also present at the cathedral were delegations from PASOK, led by President Nikos Androulakis, and SYRIZA, represented by Sokratis Famellos.

The distinguished hierarch was honored by Albania’s state and political leadership, as well as diplomatic missions. Among those present at the Holy Church were Albanian President Bajram Begaj, Prime Minister Edi Rama, and opposition leader Sali Berisha.

Chanting Christ is Risen, lead the body of the late Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania to the special crypt where he will be laid to rest.

The body of the blessed Anastasios is being carried out of the Holy Church.

The funeral service for the blessed Anastasios has concluded.

A large crowd remains inside the church to venerate the body of the blessed Archbishop Anastasios.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew:
“A sorrowful duty. The great pillar of the Church in Albania has fallen. His great love was the missionary mission,” said the Ecumenical Patriarch.

The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama:
“The Albanian community, the Albanian Church is in mourning today. Anastasios, as a successor of the Apostles, was in the service of Albania. For thirty years, he blessed and worked to restore the Orthodox Church of Albania.”

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis:
“We dare to hope, in these words, his life and actions are summed up. Courage and hope were the compass that guided Anastasios, always by the side of his fellow human beings.”

The niece of the blessed Anastasios:
“On behalf of our family, I would like to thank you for the love you surrounded our uncle with. You know how much he loved the people he lived for nearly 30 years—the people of Albania. Love, service, justice, truth, humility, struggle, courage, hope—these were the qualities that defined him. Let us try to follow his example.”

The coordinator of the World Council of Churches, Bishop Heinrich, on Anastasios:
“In these last days, as well as now, we felt how much we loved him, how much Albania loved him—the country he held in his heart. We heard about the great work he accomplished. For us, he was an enormous leader and a profoundly theological leader with broad horizons.”