"Irreplaceable"/ Patriarch Bartholomew: He resurrected the Church from the ashes, steadfast in his mission

2025-01-30 13:37:00, Aktualitet CNA

"Irreplaceable"/ Patriarch Bartholomew: He resurrected the Church from

The Ecumenical Patriarch, His Holiness Bartholomew, who also led the farewell ceremony for Archbishop Anastasios Yanullatos, said that today he was faced with a painful task after the great pillar of the Church, Anastasios Yanullatos, passed away.

Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized that Archbishop Anastasios revived the Autocephalous Orthodox Church in Albania and made an extraordinary contribution to bringing it out of ruins.

His Holiness said that the ecumenical presence of Anastasios Yanullatos had a strong Orthodox flavor and unwavering faith.

Patriarch Bartholomew underlined that Anastas Yanullatos led the church through narrow paths and great sacrifices, walking on the edge of the sword, opening paths where needed to find the necessary resources to raise the church from the ashes.

His Holiness said that Anastasius as Archbishop is irreplaceable.

"A painful task has brought us together today. The great pillar of the Church has fallen. Anastasius has passed away."

Anastasius revived the Orthodox Church in Albania. His life itself was a miracle of God.

His ecumenical presence had a strong Orthodox flavor, and he had unwavering faith.

Anastas Janullatos led the church down a narrow path and made great sacrifices, walking on the edge of the sword, opening paths where needed to find the resources needed to raise the church from the ashes.

By nature he was gentle and patient when necessary, steadfast when the interest of the church required it, he avoided conflicts and built the church in accordance with the divine will.

We will always remember everything beautiful, bright, and pleasing to God, everything that the Archbishop built for the Church.

"Anastasius as Archbishop is irreplaceable," said Patriarch Bartholomew.

His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew also spoke about the election of Archbishop Anastasios' successor.

He emphasized that there will be an Ecumenical Patriarchate that will accept it with love and support it for every need of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania.

"Be confident that His blessing will help in choosing a more worthy successor."

"The Ecumenical Patriarchate will accept with love whoever he is, will stand by him and will support him for every need of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania," said Patriarch Bartholomew./ CNA