"Finish the "Resurrection of Christ" Cathedral, the property belongs to KOASH"/ Archbishop Anastasios' will is read

2025-03-01 16:31:00, Aktualitet CNA

"Finish the "Resurrection of Christ" Cathedral, the property

Today, in a deeply moving atmosphere, at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tirana, packed with believers, the forty-day commemoration of the late Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania, Anastas, was held.

During the divine liturgy, the will of Archbishop Anastas was read by the Metropolitan of Kruja, Anastas Mamaj. In his will, Archbishop Anastas bequeathed the completion of the Orthodox Cathedral “Resurrection of Christ” in Tirana and the remaining financial provisions to be invested in the salaries of the clergy and in the youth programs organized by KOASH.

Regarding his literature and literary assets, the Archbishop handed over the book "The Resurrection of Christ" to the Orthodox library, while the royalties from the sale of the books will be handed over to the inter-Orthodox center Porefthendes.

As executor of his will, the Archbishop has appointed the Archbishop who will succeed him and the Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod, Metropolitan of Amantia, Nathanael. We recall that Archbishop Anastasios Yanullatos passed away on January 25, 2025, at the age of 95, after several weeks in a hospital in Athens.

Excerpt from the will

Blessed be your name, O Lord.

With deep gratitude we reflect on the years I have spent on this earth, in this wonderful spaceship heading towards the infinite. I thank you, Holy Trinity, for revealing to me that infinity is love. You have called me from my childhood to an active participation in the adventure of your love, deserving me with the grace of the mysteries of the church to live as a cell in the mystical body of Christ. In a holy catholic and apostolic church. I thank you because despite my poverty and spiritual weakness you accepted me to serve man in various geographical and social boundaries, contemplating the mystery of the cross and resurrection often in many tribulations but with the joy of the Holy Spirit. I also thank from the bottom of my heart my unforgettable parents, my teachers, high priests and spiritual guides who supported me in my spiritual journey. My dear relatives, brothers and sisters in the flesh and spirit. Collaborators in the evangelical mission, my former students, my dear African brothers and sisters, and finally the chosen people of God, the Church of Albania, for their heartfelt love and devotion. By the grace of God, I have neither real nor movable property. Everything I have acquired over the years has already been put to the service of works of love. The financial deposits in my name as Archbishop belong to the Church of Albania. I ask the executors of my will that half of the amount of these deposits be used for the completion of the “Resurrection of Christ” cathedral in Tirana, while the other half be preserved and invested appropriately, ensuring that the income from these investments is used to support the salaries of the clergy and the development of the youth programs of the Church of Albania.

I ask that the copyrights from the sale of my books be deposited with the Porefthendes Inter-Orthodox Center.

I appoint the archbishop who will succeed me and the chief secretary of the holy synod, Metropolitan Nathanael of Amantia, as executors of this will. Let the aforementioned see to it that the few things I have used are distributed as a memorial to my chosen collaborators.

My books will be delivered to the library of the Academy of the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ. While some of them will be symbolically donated to other metropolitanates. The books that are in Athens will be donated to the library of the Inter-Orthodox Center of Porefthendes.

In this sacred hour of greeting, I ask forgiveness from those I have hurt. From the depths of my soul, I forgive all those who intentionally, unconsciously, unjustly, intrigued and slanderously made my journey more difficult and arduous. With my limited powers, I tried to serve in opening the horizons of today's Orthodox.
From 1991, I dedicated myself to the long-suffering revival of the Albanian church, which I loved with all my heart./ CNA