Archbishop Anastasios Yannoulatos, the head of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, passed away today at the age of 95 in Athens, Greece. He had been hospitalized in Tirana during the New Year period and was later transferred to the Evangelismos Hospital in Athens for treatment.
A Leader of Orthodox Revival in Albania
Appointed in mid-1992, Archbishop Anastasios took charge of the Albanian Orthodox Church during its revival after decades of suppression under communist rule. The dictatorship had banned religious practices, destroyed places of worship, and persecuted clerics and believers.
Born in Piraeus, Greece, Archbishop Anastasios spent the last eight years of his life as a naturalized Albanian citizen. His Greek nationality, however, stirred controversy throughout his tenure, particularly during periods of heightened Albanian-Greek diplomatic tensions. Despite initial skepticism, he was formally welcomed by then-President Sali Berisha and state authorities upon his arrival in Tirana.
In 1994, political pressure against the Archbishop reached its peak when a proposed constitutional amendment sought to bar non-Albanians from leading major religious communities. The amendment, rejected by referendum, reflected the challenges faced by a country emerging from isolation with significant shortages in qualified religious leadership.
Despite occasional opposition from small groups of believers and political circles, Archbishop Anastasios remained a central figure in Albania’s Orthodox community. He received Albania’s "Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu" Presidential Medal in 2010 and was granted Albanian citizenship in 2017.
Legacy of Leadership and Rebuilding
During his three-decade tenure, Archbishop Anastasios oversaw the reconstruction of the Orthodox Church in Albania, including the construction and restoration of around 500 places of worship. This effort also extended to the establishment of educational and healthcare institutions, such as five medical centers, a theological academy, a university, two institutes, a high school, and five primary and secondary schools.
Anastasios was a distinguished theologian, holding degrees from the University of Athens and postgraduate qualifications from the University of Hamburg, Germany. Fluent in several languages, he authored numerous books and articles on theology and sociology, earning honorary degrees and recognition from institutions worldwide.
A Voice for Interfaith Harmony
Archbishop Anastasios was a staunch advocate for interfaith dialogue and religious harmony in Albania, contributing to the country’s reputation as a model of religious coexistence.
His passing marks the end of an era for the Albanian Orthodox Church, which he guided through a transformative period of spiritual and institutional rebuilding. Archbishop Anastasios leaves behind a legacy of faith, scholarship, and resilience, cherished by many both in Albania and the broader Orthodox community.