Archbishop Anastasios fell asleep in the Lord on the morning of 25 January 2025 at the age of 95. The Archbishop has led the Orthodox Church of Albania since 1991 when freedom returned to the country after many years of communist rule with brutal persecution that left the church broken and in ruins. Through his ministry, Archbishop Anastasios fostered the resurrection of the church and oversaw the rebuilding of all aspects of church life. He has truly been the apostle to Albania, not bringing the gospel for the first time, as happened in the first century, but acting as a messenger of hope and rekindling the light of Christ after it had almost been extinguished. The Archbishop has worked with great faith and self-sacrifice, wisdom and holiness, love and patience, humility and faithfulness in a situation where human eyes would have found no hope. One of the best descriptions the Archbishop used to describe his life is "a candle casting light on the icon of Christ."

(From the obituary of Nathan and Gabriela Hoppe, missionaries in Albania)

The Institute for Ecumenical Studies visited the Archbishop as part of a study trip in February 2020 and published his book ‘Mission in Christ's Way’ in German translation.

Message by Peter Anderson with tributes to Archbishop (see 26 January 2025)

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