Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durres and All Albania breathed his last at the age of 95 early on Saturday morning. The Archbishop of Albania had been admitted to a hospital in Tirana on 30 December because of a viral infection. On 3 January it was deemed necessary to transfer him to the Evangelismos hospital, Athens.

Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and All Albania Anastasios Υannoulatos,  was an enlightened prelate and a distinguished academic. In 2000 he was candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize on the recommendation of the Academy of Athens. He revived the Albanian Orthodox Church and had a significant missionary, social and literary work.

He was born in Piraeus on 4 November 1929. His mother was from Preveza, his father from Lefkada, his grandfather from Kefalonia. He grew up in Preveza and later in Piraeus. He received his High School Diploma in 1947 (with the Highest Honors 199/11) and his Bachelors of Divinity from the Theological School of the University of Athens in 1952 (with the Highest Honors 9.53 the highest score ever given of the Theological School of Athens). He continued his Post-Graduate Studies in the History of Religions, Ethnology, Missions, and Africanology at the Universities of Hamburg and Marburg, Germany (1965-69), with the two last years of his studies as recipient of the prestigious scholarship of the German Foundation Alexander von Humboldt. He received his Th.D of the Theological Faculty of the National University of Athens (1970). During his military service (1952-54) he attended the Schools of the Reserve Offices on the island of Syros and of the MB Signals in Chaidari. 

Global religious studies

He studied various religions, including African religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Islam, in the countries where they are widely practiced, such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Korea, Japan, China, Brazil, the Caribbean, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and Türkiye.

Besides Modern and Ancient Greek, he was fluent in English, French, and German. He also had working knowledge of Latin, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Kiswahili, and Albanian.

Pioneering missionary and theologian

Archbishop Anastasios as a lay theologian (1952-60) he worked in various fields of internal missions (preaching, Christian articles, catechism, responsible for Bible studies, youth and student camps). He pioneered the revival of foreign Orthodox missions (1959), published the first missionary periodical “ Porefthendes” in Greek and English, and founded the homonymous Orthodox missionary center. 

"He was tonsured a monk at the Monastery of the Holy Incorporeal Taxiarchs (Petraki) in Athens on 1 August 1960 and ordained as a Hiero-Deacon on 7 August 1960, followed by his ordination as a Priest-Archimandrite on 24 May 1964. On 19 November 1972, he was consecrated Bishop of Androussa to serve as the General Director of “ Apostoliki Diakonia of the Church of Greece.”

By order of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, he authored three teaching aids for instructors at the Middle Catechetical Schools of the Church. During his postgraduate studies in Germany, he ministered to Greek emigrant workers and students.

As General Director of “ Apostoliki Diakonia,” he spearheaded numerous theological, educational, construction, and publishing initiatives for the Church. He also collaborated with the Ministry of Culture and the Holy Metropolises of Greece to catalog ecclesiastical heritage sites and artifacts. Notably, he expanded the Church's external missionary work, offering consistent support to mission teams in Korea, India, and Africa, while also organizing the annual External Mission Week.

He also carried out significant missionary work in Africa. He initially traveled in May-July of 1964 in Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya exploring the possibilities of systematic Orthodox mission. In the summer and autumn of 1967 he conducted a religious research study that examined traditional religion in Uganda. In the decade of 1981-91, as Locum Tenens (Acting Archbishop) of the Holy Archbishopric of Irinoupolis - East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania), he established and organized the Patriarchal School “ Archbishop Makarios III of Cyprus”, which he directed for a decade. He ordained 62 African clergy and consecrated 42 readers-catechists from eight African tribes (among them the first four clergy from Tanzania). At the same time, he promoted the work of translation of the Holy Liturgy into four African languages. He took care of the further organization of about 150 Orthodox parishes and tiny communities. He undertook the construction of tens of churches, the building of seven missionary stations, and worked for the creation of schools and medical stations. He was recognized as a “ Great Benefactor” of the Patriarchate of Alexandria (2009).

Rebuilding the Orthodox Church of Albania and pioneering social, educational, and cultural programs

He reorganized the Orthodox Church of Albania. The Ecclesiastical work of Anastasios culminates in the mission entrusted to him by the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the restoration from the ruins of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, which had collapsed after 46 years of persecution by the world’s only “ atheistic state”. He began his work as Patriarchal Exarch (Jan. 1991 - Jun. 1992). He was elected Metropolitan of Androussa (August 1991 - June 1992) and subsequently was elected Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania (24 June, 1992). Through great difficulties, he achieved the restoration of the Church of Albania from her foundation - He drafted a new Charter (2016); and by an official agreement with the Government of Albania, which became law of the State (2009), relations between the Church and the State were defined. More than 400 parishes were reorganized. He established the Theological Academy “ Resurrection of Christ” in Durres (1992-2025); the Ecclesiastical High School “ Holy Cross”, in Gjirokastra (1998-2025) and Sukth-Durres (2007-2018) and a Byzantine Music School in Tirana (2012-2025); all situated in building complexes with contemporary conditions and dormitories. He educated and ordained 168 clergy. He established Youth Centers in various cities. He took care of the translation efforts as well as the publication of liturgical and other religious books. He organized the Technical Office of the Church and undertook the construction of 150 new churches (large and small), 60 churches, monasteries, and cultural monuments have been renovated and restored, 160 churches and 70 ecclesiastical buildings have been reconstructed. These buildings are used as schools, youth centers, health centers, hospitality homes, workshops, soup kitchens, etc. All together there have been about 450 building projects. He developed the philanthropic care of the Church, distributing hundreds of tons of food, clothing, and medicine.

He founded the first Albanian language Orthodox newspaper, Ngjallja “ Resurrection”, the first children’s periodical Gëzohu “ Rejoice”, the young adult periodical Kambanat “ Bells”, the scientific research journal Kerkim “ Research”, the bulletin “ News from Orthodoxy in Albania” (1996-2002), as well as a radio station “ Radio-Ngjallja”. He oversaw the creation of the Workshop of the Church (that includes a publishing house, candle factory, carpentry workshop, and iconography and restoration workshops). He has struggled to reclaim church properties.

Alongside the rebuilding of the Orthodox Church, he developed pioneering programs in the fields of education, health, social welfare, rural development, culture, and ecology. He founded the Orthodox Clinic “ Annunciation” (Medical Diagnostic Center) with 24 specialties and with three centers in other cities. Also, the Institute of Vocational Training, with six specialties in Tirana and four in Gjirokaster (from 1998-2008). This Institute was subsequently upgraded to the University College “ Logos” (2009-). A general and vocational high school in Mesapotam, three K-9 schools and High Schools in Tirana, Durres, Korca, and Gjirokaster; a dormitory and afterschool center for high school girls in Bularat, 19 kindergartens in various cities. He oversaw the construction of roads, aqueducts, bridges, the repair of public schools, etc.

From the period of 2013-2019 the construction of three hydroelectric projects (Librazhd, Llenge, Sllabinja) totaling 19 MW was undertaken which contribute to the strengthening of the country’s infrastructure and have a clear social purpose. With this revenue, the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania will continue her spiritual, philanthropic, and educational efforts. Additionally, after the bank loans for these projects have been paid off, a percentage of the income generated will be donated to other Churches in missionary fields that are in need.

Through these initiatives, thousands of people have found work, serious social infrastructure projects have been created, and the Orthodox Church of Albania has emerged as a multifaceted spiritual and developmental factor.

The Archbishop Anastasios was also a founding member, intermittently serving as Chairman, of the Interchurch Bible Society of Albania and the Interfaith Council of Albania. During the Kosovo crisis (1999), he organized a large humanitarian program, which helped about 33,000 refugees. He linked the Church of Albania with international Ecclesiastical organizations. During the political tension between Greece and Albania, he contributed to the assuagement and the rapprochement of the two countries.  At the same time he struggled for the easing of antithesis in the Balkans. In 2000, through the proposal of 33 Academics of the Academy of Athens and many personalities in Albania, he was a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Contributions to theology

Archbishop Anastasios's academic background includes a lecturership in modern Greek language and philology at the University of Marburg, Germany (1966-69), and the organisation and direction of the "Center of Missionary Studies" at the University of Athens (1971-76). He also successfully directed the "Inter-Orthodox Center of Athens of the Church of Greece" in Penteli (1971-76). He was also Associate Professor of the History of Religions at the National University of Athens (1972-76), Full Professor (1976-92), Director of the Department of the Science of Religions and Sociology (1983-86), Dean of the Theological Faculty and member of the Senate (1983-86), Vice-president of the Student Club (1978-79). He was Chairman of the Commission of Solidarity in the Cypriot Struggle (1975-84), member of the Research Committee of the University of Athens (1986-90) and administrative director of the Council of the Centre of Mediterranean and Arabic Studies (1978-82). He was Corresponding Member of the Academy of Athens (1993-2005) and in continuation Honorary Member.

He had ThD h.c. from: Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Brookline, MA, USA (1989); Theological Faculty of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1995); St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Yonkers, NY, USA (2003); Theological School of Craiova University (2006); Honorary Member of the Theological Academy of Moscow (1998); D. Staniloae Diploma, University of Bucharest (the highest theological distinction of this University) (2003); Theological Faculty of the Pontifical University of South Italy (2009); and Fordham University, NY, USA (2014).

PhD h.c. from: The Department of History and Archaeology of the Philosophical Faculty of the University of Ioannina (1996); Agricultural University of Athens (1996); The Department of Political Science and Public Administration, the Law, Economic, and Political Sciences, and all the Departments of the Philosophical Faculty of the National University of Athens (1998); Department of International and European Studies of the University of Piraeus (2001); Department of Philology of the University of Crete (2002); Departments of Physics, Medicine, Primary Education, and Civil Engineering of the University of Patras (2003); Doctor of Humane Letters from Boston University (2004); Departments of Medicine and Agriculture of the University of Thessaly, and Golden Medal of this University (2005); History Department of the Ionian University, Corfu (2007); University of Korca (2008); Departments of History and Ethnology and of Languages and Culture of Thrace’s Dimokriteian University (2009); Patriarchal University Apostle Andrew, Tbilisi, Georgia (2010); University of Cyprus (2010); Department of Philology, University of Peloponnese, Kalamata (2016); the highest scientific distinction of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the "Golden Aristotle" (2018).

He has been a member of several prestigious committees and organisations, including: The Council of the High School of Social Work-Deaconesses (1977-84);The Highest Official Committee of the Church of Greece (1977-85);The Committee of the Ecclesiastical Education of the Ministry of National Education and Religions (1977-82); Board of Directors of the European Health Club; the Board of Directors of the Commission for the Protection of the Cultural Legacy of Cyprus (1985-91), of the Scholarships Commission of the Foundation Alexander Onassis (1978-94); of the Foundation Alexander Onassis (1994-2005). He is an Associate of the Athenian Educational Society (1994-2025); Associate of the Orthodox Academy of Crete (2001-2025); and Honorary President of the graduates of the Second Male High School of Athens (2008-2025).

Author of books, dissertations, and scholarly works

He has authored and published 24 books (religious research, missionary essays, Orthodox spirituality) and more than 200 studies and articles of theological and religious themes. His books and texts have been translated into 17 languages (see attached bibliography).During his longstanding Orthodox witness, he combined theological knowledge and research in the History of Religions with missionary and pastoral diakonia; concurrently with social sensitivity and efforts. 

His contribution to research, contemporary Christian witness, inter-Christian approachment, inter-faith dialogue, and the peaceful coexistence of peoples and religions has been internationally recognized. Among these are the following:

⦁ The spirits of M’bandwa and the framework of their cult (1970).

⦁ The Lord of Brightness”. The god of the tribes east of Kenya. A research in the history of religion (1971).

⦁ The dawn of Orthodoxy in Japan (1971).

⦁ Forms of African worship. Initiation and mediumship east of Ruwenzori. A research in the history of religion (1972)

⦁ Ruhan’ga-the creator. A contribution to the research of African beliefs on God and man. (1975)

⦁ Aspects of Hinduism-Buddhism (1985).

⦁ Islam. A general survey (1975)

⦁ Universality and Orthodoxy. Studies in orthodox problematics (2000)

⦁ Footprints of the Quest for the Transcendent.A collection of studies in the history of religion-Beliefs, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, African religions, mysticism, etc. (2004)

⦁ God was manifested in the flesh (2011), σελ. 216 (Athens: Maïstros, 2007; 5th augmented ed., 2011).

⦁ Now everything is filled with light (2007)

⦁ Monks and Mission during the 4th and 9th centuries (2008)

⦁ To the ends of the earth (2009)

⦁ In Africa: Orthodox Christian Mission and Service

⦁ In Albania-Cross and Resurrection (2011)

⦁ The forgotten commandment, “ Go Ye”. From lethargy to wakefulness ( 2013)

⦁ The Restoration of the Orthodox autocephalous Church of Albania (1991-2012). 

⦁ Coexistence-Peace, Nature, Poverty, Terrorism, Values (2016)

⦁ Rays from the light of the Gospel (2016)

⦁ Vigilance. Duty of Orthodox (2017)

⦁ The Orthodox Church in the area of modern Albania (1st to the middle of the 20th C.). (2019). 

Translations in English:

⦁ Monks and Mission in the Eastern Church during the Fourth Century,Athens 1966, pp. 46. Reprinted from Go Ye 8 (1966). Republished in International Review of Mission 58 (1969), pp. 208-226. Offprint.

⦁ Various Christian Approaches to the Other Religions. A Historical Outline. Athens: Proefthentes (1971)

⦁ Facing the World. Orthodox Christian Essays on Global Concerns. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, and Geneva: World Council of Churches Publications (2003)

⦁ Mission in Christ’s Way, An Orthodox Understanding of Mission. Brookline, MA: Holy Cross Orthodox Press, and Geneva: World Council of Churches Publications (2010)

⦁ The Restoration of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania (1991-2012).

⦁ Ιn Africa, Orthodox Witness and Service. Brookline, MA: Holy Cross Orthodox Press (2015)

⦁ In Albania: Cross and Resurrection. Yonkers, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press (2016)

⦁ The Orthodox Church in the area of modern Albania (2019).

See also: 

Messages of condolences for Anastasios speak of a church leader promoting interfaith dialog and peaceful coexistence
 

(Photos are from the archive of ANA-MPA)