TIRANA, Albania — The Orthodox Church of Albania announced the passing of Archbishop Anastasios on Saturday. He was 95 years old and had been a pivotal figure in reviving the church following the collapse of the communist regime in 1990.
Anastasios served as the Archbishop of Tirana, Durres, and All Albania, as well as the leader of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania. His death occurred in the intensive care unit of the Evangelismos hospital in Athens due to complications from “polyorgan deficiency.” Initially hospitalized in Tirana on December 30 due to a viral infection, his condition worsened, leading to his transfer to Athens. He underwent surgery on January 10 to address gastrointestinal bleeding, but his health remained critical thereafter, according to hospital reports.
The church released a statement praising Anastasios as the architect of the modern Albanian Orthodox Church, which he helped resurrect from the remnants left by decades of atheistic rule. During his remarkable career spanning over 33 years, he revived church life, constructed hundreds of new churches, established educational and charitable organizations, and nurtured a new generation of clergy.
Albanian President Bajram Begaj expressed his condolences, noting that the nation has lost a “spiritual leader and a distinguished individual.” He added that Anastasios’s influence would endure in the hearts of those who cherished him.
In a show of solidarity, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis acknowledged Anastasios’s significant contributions to Orthodox Christianity, stating that his impact reached far beyond the borders of Albania.
Born Anastasios Yannoulatos in Greece in 1929, he moved to Albania in 1991, immediately embracing the challenges posed by the nation’s post-communist reality. The erstwhile communist government had suppressed all forms of religious expression and confiscated properties belonging to various religious institutions, including Islamic, Orthodox, and Catholic organizations.
Recent census data indicates that Orthodox Christians represent approximately 7% of the 2.4 million population in Albania, although church leaders suggest the actual number may be higher. The country’s demographic is predominantly Muslim, with Catholic and Orthodox communities also present, living together in relative harmony.
After the fall of the communist regime in December 1990, religious practices were permitted again, but many believers found themselves without places of worship as numerous mosques and churches had been seized. The process of returning these properties is still ongoing, with various religious groups continuing to seek restitution for their lost spaces and buildings.
Anastasios played a crucial role in restructuring the Orthodox Church in Albania and was appointed its leader in 1992. He placed considerable emphasis on interfaith dialogue and the church’s involvement in social development, healthcare, and education.
He oversaw the reorganization of more than 400 parishes in the post-communist era, the construction of around 150 new churches, and the restoration of 60 churches, monasteries, and cultural sites, along with the rebuilding of 160 churches and 70 ecclesiastical buildings.
A major contributor to the education of the clergy, Anastasios ordained 168 new members of the clergy and initiated youth centers in numerous cities. He also facilitated the translation and publication of liturgical texts and other religious works into the Albanian language.
Under his leadership, the church also invested in and constructed three hydropower facilities, with profits from these ventures funneled back into spiritual and philanthropic endeavors.
Anastasios was born on November 4, 1929, in Piraeus, Greece. He earned his Bachelor of Divinity and Doctor of Theology degrees from the University of Athens and studied further at Hamburg and Marburg universities in Germany. His contributions to academia were significant, having served as a professor and dean at the University of Athens, in addition to holding leadership roles in various worldwide religious organizations, including the World Council of Churches.
He published an impressive catalog of work, including 24 books centered on religious research and essays on Orthodox spirituality, and contributed over 200 studies and articles that have been translated into 17 different languages.
