Anastas Janullatos, a bridge of friendship between Albania and Greece

2025-01-31 08:37:00, Aktualitet CNA

Thousands of Orthodox believers, church leaders from around the world, and high-ranking representatives of the Albanian and Greek states, bid farewell to Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos in Tirana.

With heartfelt prayers and grateful applause, the head of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, who passed away at the age of 95 on January 25, 2025 at the 'Annunciation' hospital in Athens, was escorted to his final resting place.

The ceremony, which lasted 2 hours and 30 minutes, took place at the "Resurrection of Christ" Cathedral in Tirana. The Mass was led by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.

Politicians of different political stripes, leaders of other religious faiths, high representatives of the Albanian and Greek states came together to honor the most prominent figure of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania. During the service, several speeches were delivered, extolling the contribution of Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos.

The Archbishop's Vision, a Source of Inspiration

"The more time passes, the clearer it becomes for all of us the greatness of Archbishop Anastasios' work." This is how Joan of Korça, the supervising metropolitan of the Archbishop's Throne, began his speech, emphasizing Janullatos' 33-year contribution to the rebuilding of the church and service to believers and the poor.

"A visionary theologian, but also a pragmatic leader," said Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Chairman of the Central Commission of the World Council of Churches. "Archbishop Anastasius' theological writings on critical issues remain a powerful source of inspiration that encourage Christians around the world to bridge divisions," said the German bishop.

Meanwhile, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew said during the funeral service that the mother church will continue to support the Albanian autocephalous church, as well as the successor of Archbishop Anastasios.

Friendship bridge between Albania and Greece

Representatives of political parties put aside the divisions and grudges that are shouted in Parliament on Thursdays, to honor the figure of the archbishop together. The funeral was attended by the highest figures of the Albanian state, as well as personalities from various fields.

Between Prime Minister Edi Rama and the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, stood the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The latter was accompanied by a large delegation of five ministers and other senior officials from Athens, including the Greek opposition.

"Anastasius came among us as a priest from Greece and is leaving as the Anastasius of Albania," said the Albanian Prime Minister during his speech, exalting the figure of the archbishop.

Rama also recalled a recent interview by Janullatos where he stated that he wanted his successor to be Albanian, "because it is not part of the Church of Greece. It is one of the 14 autocephalous Orthodox churches in the world," Rama recalled.

While the Greek Prime Minister called it no coincidence "that Janullatos is mourned today by both Greeks and Albanians, but also by people everywhere in the world, regardless of religion or nationality."

"The Archbishop was always a bridge of friendship between the two peoples and a link of communication between the two states. Therefore, he can rightly be called the "diplomat of love." - Mitsotakis added.

Janullatos' connection with Albania

Anastas Janullatos was appointed in 1991 by the Ecumenical Patriarch Exarch, Patriarchal in Albania and was enthroned as head of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church on August 2, 1992, when he was 63 years old.

Through many difficulties, he reestablished and reorganized the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, which, like other religions, was banned by the communist regime in the country. In addition to the revival of more than 400 parishes, the "Resurrection of Christ" Theological Academy was founded in Durrës as two church high schools where over 150 clergy were educated./ DW