The leadership of Greece, ministers, party leaders and church authorities in Athens and abroad expressed their condolences over the death of Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania who died aged 95 at a Greek hospital early on Saturday.

President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou called him "a church leader who took a stance against bigotry and religious fanaticism, looking to mutual understanding, dialog, and the fellowship and peaceful coexistence of peoples." Anastasios linked theological contemplation with practical and selfless service, she said, adding, "His constant support of the Greek Ethnic Minority and his interest in the progress of Albanian society in its entirety, without religious or racial discrimination, have left indelible impressions on the hearts of people he helped, supported, and loved."

Archbishop Anastasios' contribution to Orthodoxy "is invaluable," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in his message of condolences, adding that he was "a spiritual leader who also catered to human beings and their rights, at times as supporter of children of Africa and at other times as supporter of Greek university students standing up against the dictatorship." He was the first Greek Orthodox archbishop of Albania and worked to support the interests of the Greek ethnic minority there, the premier added.

Condolences were also expressed by Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis, Deputy Minister for Greeks Abroad and Religious Affairs George Kotsiras, National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, main opposition PASOK-Movement for Change (KINAL) leader Nikos Androulakis, and SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance leader Sokratis Famellos, among others, who spoke of his work to reestablish the Orthodox Church in Albania and his 33-year contributions to his adoptive country.

Albanian President Bayram Begai, the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, Eurodeputy Fredi Beleri, and parties affiliated with the Greek Ethnic Minority in Albania expressed their deep condolences.

They spoke of Anastasios' revival of the Greek Orthodox Church in Albania, his promotion of interfaith dialog, and the schools, retirement homes, monasteries and churches built because of his efforts. 

The Greek Parliament observed a minute of silence on Saturday, prior to the vote, and former Parliament president Constantine Tassoulas also expressed his condolences separately.