Tirana, March 3, 2025
Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr
Over the weekend, the Albanian Orthodox Church, together with guests from other Local Churches, commemorated the 40th day of the repose of His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios, who led the resurrection of the Albanian Church for more than 30 years.
His Beatitude 
Archbishop Anastasios of Albania reposes in the LordHis Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania reposed in the Lord this morning at the age of 95.
“>reposed in the Lord on January 25 at the age of 95.
The memorial service in Tirana on Saturday March 1 was celebrated by hierarchs of the Albanian, Antiochian, Greek, and Constantinople Churches, reports the Union of Orthodox Journalists.
Photo: spzh.news
After the memorial service, Abp. Anastasios’ will was read out, which he wrote in 1997 and amended in 2008. In it, he expresses gratitude for his ministry, provides instructions for his few belongings and funds, extends and entreats forgiveness from all, and concludes with blessings for his spiritual children across multiple continents.
His will reads:
Blessed be Thy name, O Lord. With deep gratitude, I reflect on the years I have journeyed on this earth, on this amazing spaceship heading toward infinity. I thank You, Holy Trinity, for revealing to me that infinity is love, YOU. And from my childhood You called me to actively participate in the adventure of Your love, granting me the joy of the Mysteries of the Church, to live as a cell in the mystical Body of Christ, the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I thank You because, despite my spiritual poverty and weakness, You accepted me to serve humanity at various geographical and social borders, gazing at the mystery of the Cross and the Resurrection, often in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.
I also thank “from the depths” my late parents, teachers, hierarchs, spiritual fathers, who supported me in my spiritual journey, my beloved relatives by flesh or spirit, brothers, sisters, co-workers in the mission, former male and female students, my beloved African brothers, and finally the chosen people of God, of the Church of Albania, for their heartfelt love and devotion.
*
By the grace of God, I have no immovable or movable property. Whatever I acquired over time has been allocated to works of love. Money deposits in my name as Archbishop belong to the Church of Albania. I ask the executors of my will to allocate half of the amount of these deposits for the completion of the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Tirana, and the other half to remain suitably invested, with the proceeds of the investment to be used to strengthen the salaries of the clergy and the youth programs of the Church of Albania.
I request that the royalties from the sale of my books be deposited for the benefit of the Inter-Orthodox Center Porefthendes [Go Forth].
I appoint as executors of this will my successor Archbishop and the Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod, Bishop Nathanael of Amantia. The above-named are to arrange to distribute as a “memento” the few things I used to my chosen co-workers, who selflessly journeyed with me and served the Church alongside me.
My books are to be donated to the library of the Archbishopric and to the library of the Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Theological Academy. Some should also be symbolically given to the other three metropolises. Any books located in Athens are to be given to the library of Porefthendes.
**
During my life, serving in various ecclesiastical positions and other international organizations, I surely grieved many out of weakness or fervor. I seek, at this sacred hour of departure, their forgiveness, and from the depths of my soul, I forgive all those who consciously or unknowingly made my journey harsh and painful through injustices, conspiracies, and slander.
**
I tried with my meager strength to serve in expanding the horizon of contemporary Orthodox Christians to our Apostolic ecumenical responsibility in Greece, in Africa, in the international ecclesiastical arena, and especially from 1991, I devoted myself to the restoration of the tormented Church of Albania, which I loved with all my soul. Whatever substantial things have accomplished belong to the grace of God.
And now my brothers, co-workers, beloved spiritual children in Albania, in Greece, in East Africa, and in other parts of the world, “my joy and crown,” I bid you farewell, wishing you the greatest thing I can: For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God (Eph. 3:14-19).
I also ask you not to cease praying that God may have mercy on me, the sinful and unworthy servant of His, and receive me in repentance into the infinity of His love. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen (3:20-21).
The least among bishops
†Anastasios of Tirana
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Source: Orthodox Christianity
