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To the Beloved Hierarchs, Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of the Holy Orthodox Church of Albania,
May the grace, peace, and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!
With heavy hearts, we received the sorrowful news of the repose of His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, the shepherd of your beloved Church, who departed from this life and entered into the eternal rest of the Lord. As the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, and as a brother in Christ, I share in your grief and offer heartfelt condolences on behalf of 352 churches to you all at this time of great loss.
His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios was, by God’s grace, a tireless witness to the Gospel of our Lord, a great leader of the Church, and a steadfast servant of Christ and His people. For more than thirty years, he guided the faithful of Albania with wisdom, humility, and love. His life, rooted in the long Orthodox tradition, was a profound testimony to the power of the Holy Spirit to renew and transform, even amidst the most challenging of circumstances.
His witness to the transformative power of Christ’s love in a nation marked by struggle and renewal has left an indelible mark on the history of Albania and on the broader Christian world. For more than three decades, he worked diligently to restore the life of the Church, building churches, establishing seminaries, and renewing the monastic life, while promoting social peace and reconciliation as well as interfaith understanding. He stood as a pillar of faith in a time of great local challenges and global shifts.
In his leadership, Archbishop Anastasios embodied the spirit of true Christian unity—both within the Orthodox Church and in his many encounters with other Christian communities. His commitment to dialogue, peace, and cooperation in the service of the Gospel was a powerful example to us all. As a prominent voice within the ecumenical movement, his contributions to fostering understanding and fellowship among Christians of all traditions will remain a lasting legacy. His theological writings, profound insights, and tireless advocacy for unity enriched not only the Orthodox Church but also the entire Christian world, inspiring the ecumenical movement to deeper levels of collaboration and mutual respect. His works continue to guide efforts toward healing divisions and promoting the shared mission of bearing witness to Christ’s love in a fragmented world.
Archbishop Anastasios’ love for Christ and His Church was evident in every aspect of his ministry, and his care for the welfare of all the people of Albania was evident in his pastoral presence and tireless outreach. In his life, we see the fulfillment of the Lord’s command to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). His light shone brightly in Albania and beyond, illuminating the path of truth, love, and reconciliation for many faithful and people of good will. His deep theological insight, his pastoral heart, and his unwavering commitment to the Lord’s Church made him a beloved figure not only in Albania but throughout the Orthodox Christian world and the ecumenical community.
As the Church of Albania enters this period of mourning and transition, let us pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that He may continue to sustain and strengthen you in your faith. May He raise up new leaders to continue the work of His Beatitude, following his example of holiness, humility, sacrificial love, and commitment for Christian unity.
As we lift His Beatitude in our prayers, let us offer heartfelt gratitude to God for the countless blessings He has granted the Church through this faithful servant. We take comfort in the hope that His Beatitude now stands in the presence of the Risen Christ, rejoicing in the eternal reward promised to those who serve the Lord with unwavering faith, and dwelling in the light, peace, and love of the Most Holy Trinity.
May his memory be eternal!
With love in the risen Christ,
Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay
WCC General Secretary
