Archbishop Anastasios of Albania
Encyclopedia
Archbishop Dr Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës
and All Albania (* November 4, 1929 in Piraeus
, Greece
- His family is of Kefalonian origin) (born Anastasios Yannoulatos, ) is the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania
and as such the primate
and Head of the Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Orthodox
Church of Albania
. He was elected on June 1992. Professor Emeritus of the National University of Athens. Honorary Member of the Academy of Athens. Archbishop Anastasios is one of the presidents of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches
. Honorary President of the World Conference of Religions for Peace.
Certificate of High School (1947, with High Honours). B.D. of the National University of Athens (1952, with High Honours). Post-graduate studies in History of Religions
, Ethnology
, Missions, and Africanology in the Universities of Hamburg
and Marburg
. Research in the Makerere University College, Kampala – Uganda, as scholar (1965–69) of the German Foundation Alexander von Humboldt. ThD of the Theological Faculty of the National University of Athens (1970, Summa cum laude). During his military service (1952–54) he attended the Schools of the Reserve Offices of Syros and of the MB Signals (to both first in rank and chief of School). He studied various religions (Hinduism
, Buddhism
, Taoism
, Confucianism
, African religions, Islam
) in the countries where they prosper (e.g. India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Korea, Japan, China, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Brazil, Caribbean, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Turkey).
Languages (Besides New and Ancient Greek) English, French, German. Working knowledge of Latin, Italian, Spanish, Albanian, Russian, Kiswahili).
Church ministry
Ordained: Deacon (7.8.1960); Priest – Archmandrite (24.5.1964); Bishop of Androussa for the position of the General Director of «Apostoliki Diakonia of the Church of Greece
» (19.11.1972). Acting Archbishop (Locum Tenens) of the Holy Archbishopric of Irinoupolis (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) (1981–1991). Patriarchal Exarch in Albania
(Jan. 1991 – June 1992). Metropolitan of Androussa (Aug. 1991 – June 1992). Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and Primate of Albania (June 24, 1992 ff.). (For service in Africa and in Albania see below).
Scientific career
Lehrbeauftragte, for teaching modern-Greek language and philology – University of Marburg, Germany (1966–69). He organized and directed the «Center of Missionary Studies» at the University of Athens (1971–76). Associate Professor of History of Religions (1972–76). Full Professor of History of Religions in the National University of Athens (1976–97). Prof. Emeritus (1997 ff.). At the same University: 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 Club of Students. Chairman of the Commission of Solidarity in the Cyprian Struggle (1975–84). Member of the Committee of Research of the University of Athens (1986–1990). and the «Inter-Orthodox Center of Athens» of the Church Greece (1971–75). Member of the Council of the Centre of Mediterranean and Arabic Studies (1978–82).
ThD h.c. of: The Theological School of the Holy Cross, Brookline, Ma, USA (1989), the Theological Faculty of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
(1995), and the St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (2003). Theological School of the Craiova University (2006); Theological Faculty of the Pontifical University of South Italy (2009); Honorary Member of the Moscow Theological Academy (1998). D. Staniloae Diploma Univ. Bucharest (the highest theological distinction of this University) (2003).
PhD h.c. of: The Department of History and Archaeology of the Philosophical Faculty of the University of Ioannina (1996); The Agricultural University of Athens (1996); The Department of Political Science and Public Administration of the Law, Economic and Political Sciences and all the Departments of the Philosophical Faculty of the National University of Athens (1998); the Department of International and European Studies of the University of Piraeus (2001); The Department of Philology of the University of Crete (2002); The Departments of Physics, Medicine, Primary Education and Civic Engineers of the University of Patras (2002); Doctor of Humane Letters of Boston University (2004); The Departments of Medical and Agricultural of University of Thesalia, and Golden Medal of this University (2005); the History Department of the Ionian University
, Corfou (2007); the University of Korça (2008); of the Departments of History and Ethnology as well as of Languages and Culture of Thrace’s Dimokriteian University (2009); ); the University of Cyprus
(2010).
Church and Social Work
Laypreacher, catechetical work with teenagers; responsible for Bible studies, students camps, missionary efforts in new social frontiers. (1954–60). Founder and director of the Inter-Orthodox Missionary Centre «Porefthendes» (1961 ff.). He organized and directed (1971–74) the Inter-Orthodox Centre of the Church of Greece; during his term of office there dozens of Conferences, Seminars and other Church and social activities were organized. During his post-graduate studies in Germany he ministered to the emigrant Greek workers and students. He has been: Member of the Council: of the High School of Social Work – Deaconesses (1977–84); of the Highest Official Committee of the Church of Greece (1977–85); of the Committee of the Ecclesiastical Education of the Ministry of National Education and Religions (1977–82); 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). Member of the Philekpaideutike Society (1994 ff.).
International inter-ecclesiastical activity
General Secretary of the «Executive Committee for the External Mission» (1958–61), and Vice-president of the International Organization of Orthodox Youth «Syndesmos» (1964–1977). Member of the «International Commission for Missionary Studies» of the WCC (1963–1969). Secretary for «Missionary Research and the Relations with the Orthodox Churches», in the General Secretariat of the WCC (1969–71). Member of many international scientistic committees, such as: the «Deutsche Gesellschaft für Missionswissenschaft»; the «International Society of Missionary Research»; the Commission of the WCC for the Dialogue with Other Churches and Ideologies (1975–83); the Mixed Commission of the «Conference of European Churches» and the «Conference of Roman Catholic Bishops», «Islam in Europe» (1989–91); the «International Council» of the World Conference on Religion and Peace (1985–94).
From 1959 onwards he has participated in a number of international, inter-Orthodox, inter-Christian and inter-religious conferences, and World Assemblies (several times as main speaker) representing the Church, or the University in international organizations. He has offered lectures to several University centers concerning Christian witness, the inter-religious dialogue, and worldwide solidarity and peace.
Honorary member of the Curatorium of the Roman Catholic Institution «Pro Oriente», Vienna (1989 ff.). President-Moderator of the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism of the WCC (1984–1991). Member of the Central Committee of the WCC (1998–2006). Fellow of the Orthodox Academy of Crete (2001). Corresponding Member of the Academy of Athens
(1993–2005). Member of the European Council of Religious Leaders/Religions for Peace (2001 ff.). Vice-president of the Conference of European Churches (2003–2009). President of the World Council of Churches
(2006-) (one of the eight presidents). Honorary President of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (2006-).
East Africa
Archbishop Anastasios has played a leading role in the contemporary renewal of the External Mission of the Orthodox Church. In the decade 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 of Cyprus Macarios», which he directed for a decade; he ordained 62 African clergymen and consecrated 42 readers-catechists coming from eight African tribes; At the same time, he promoted the work of translation of the Holy Liturgy into four African languages. He took care of the stabilization of about 150 Orthodox parishes and decades of construction of churches, of the building of seven missionary stations and worked for the creation of schools and medical stations.
Albania
As Archbishop, within huge difficulties, he achieved the restoration, from her foundation, of the Church of Albania –more than 400 parishes were reorganized; He established the Theological Academy «Resurrection» in Durrës
(1992) and 2 Ecclesiastical Lycees. He educated and ordained 150 clerics. He established 50 Youth Centres in several cities. He took care of the translation efforts, the edition of liturgical and other religious books. He erected 150 new churches, restored 70 others and repaired 160 more, as well as 45 ecclesiastical centres (Archdiocese and Metropole buildings, schools, medical centres, guest’s houses, youth camps, etc.). The total construction work comes to 425 buildings.
He developed the charity work, through the distribution of hundreds of tons of food, clothes, medicine. He founded a monthly newspaper and three periodicals, as well as a Radio station. He took care for the establishment of the Workshops of the Church (printing-house, candle factory, carpenter’s shop, workshops for iconography and restoration of icons).
At the same time, he developed pioneer programmes in the areas of education, health, social care, rural development, culture and ecology. (e.g. He established the Medical Diagnostical Centre with 24 specialities in Tirana and three medical centres in other cities; University “Logos” (Tirana), also two Institutes of Professional Formation; a Professional Lycee; three primary schools; a Boarding school for girls, and 17 nursery schools in different cities. He oversaw the construction of roads, aqueducts, bridges, reparation of public schools, etc.
During the critical period of Kosovo
(1999), he organized a large humanitarian programme, which helped about 33.000 refugees in several parts of Albania
. He linked the Church of Albania with international Ecclesiastical organizations. He is founding member of the Interchurch Bible Society of Albania and the Interfaith Council of Albania. During the political tension between Greece and Albania, he contributed to the relaxation and the rapprochement of the two countries.
Through his initiatives work was given to thousands of men; serious works of social structure were created and the Orthodox Church of Albania has come to be a multi-dynamic spiritual and developmental factor. At the same time he struggled for the easing of the controversies in the Balkans
. In 2000, through the proposal of the Academy of Athens
and many personalities in Albania, he was a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize
.
He was honored with
The Holy Cross of the Apostle and Evangelist Mark, First Class, of the Patriarchate of Alexandria (1985), of Saint Catherine of the Mount Sinai (1985), of Sts. Cyrill and Methodios of the Orthodox Church of Czeschoslovakia (1986); the Silver Medal of the Academy of Athens «as the promoter and pioneer of missionary theology and action» (1987), and the Golden Medal with Laurel of the Greek Red Cross (1994); the Grand Cross of the Order of Honor of the Hellenic Republic (1997); the Medal of the Great Prince Vladimir (first class) of the Russian Church (1998); the Medal of Apostle Andreas of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (1999); the Grand Cross of the Order of the Orthodox Crusaders of the Holy Sepulchre (2000); the Life Achievement Prize of the Council of Greeks Abroad (2000).
He was also honored with: the Athenagoras Human Rights Award 2001 (New York); the «Pro Humanitate», of the European Cultural Institution Pro Europe (Freiburg) (2001); the Grand Cross of the Order of Apostle Paul of the Church of Greece (2001); the Golden Medal of Honor and welfare work of the City of Athens (2001); the Golden key of the City of Thessaloniki (2002), and of Lamia (2002); the Polish humanitarian award «Ecce Homo» (2003); the Medal from the President of the Romanian Democracy (2003); the Golden Medal, first class, of the Municipality of Piraeus (2005); Honorary Citizen of Tirana
(2005) and Korça
(2007); the Prize «for outstanding activities in strengthening Unity of Orthodox Christian Nations» (Moscow
2006); Medal of Yaroslav the Wiseman of the Ukrainian Democracy (2008); Grand Golden Medal of Apostle Barnabas of the Church of Cyprus (2008); the Grand Cross of the Order of Apostle Marc of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa (2009).
Publications
Author of 18 books, including The Spirits M’bandwa and the framework of their Cult (1970, in Greek); «The Lord of Brightness». The God of the Tribes East of Kenya. A Research in the History of Religion (in Greek, 1971; 3rd edition 1983). Various Christian Approaches to the Other Religions (1971); Islam: A General Survey (in Greek, 1975; 15th edition 2006); Universality and Orthodoxy (in Greek, 2000; 6th edition 2006), translated in Serbian (2002), Romanian (2003), Albanian (2004), Bulgarian (2005); and in English: Facing the World: Orthodox Christian Essays on Global Concerns, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, and WCC 2003). Footprints of the Quest for the Transcendent (in Greek, 2004; 3rd ed. 2006). Mission in Christ’s Way (2007, in Greek). To the End of the Earth (2009, in Greek). In Africa (2010, in Greek).
He also published three Catechetical Manuels (1960–1982; in seven reprints 1978-1982); and more than 240 essays and articles, including: “Monks and Mission in the Eastern Church during the Fourth Century” (1966). “Les Missions des Eglises d’Orient” (1972). “Relations between Man and Nature in the World Religions” (1983). “Die Mystik in Byzanz” (1983). “Der Dialog mit dem Islam aus orthodoxen Sicht” (1986). “Orthodoxe Mission. Vergangenheit, Gegenwart, Zukunft” (1999). “Orthodoxy Faces the Third Millennium” (2000). “The Church of Albania. History and Spiritual Tradition” (2000). “Responsabilité apostolique et dimension universelle de l’Eglise” (2001). “Problems and Prospects of Inter-religious Dialogue” (2002). “God, in your grace transform the world” (2006). “Christen in einem multi-religiösen geeinten Europa” (2007). “La lumière du Christ et l’Europe” (2008). “Η Ορθόδοξος Αυτοκέφαλος Εκκλησία της Αλβανίας σήμερα” (2009). “Appelés à une seule espérance en Christ” (2009).
Founder and editor of bilingual quarterly Porefthentes (Go-Ye) (1960–1970), of the quarterly review Panta ta Ethne (All Nations) (1981–92). Also in Albanian: the quarterly Kërkim (Search) and the monthly newspaper Ngjallja (Resurrection). From his essays and articles a number have also been published into German, French, Russian, Swedish, Finnish, Serbian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Italian, Spanish and Albanian.
Archbishop Anastasios is considered a pioneer in the rekindling of the missionary endeavour in the Orthodox Churches. Scholar in the field of History of Religions and inter-religious dialogue. Simultaneously, he has struggled as a peace-maker within the Balkans.
His Beatitude, Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania;
Durrës
Durrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically important cities of Albania. Durres is situated at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari...
and All Albania (* November 4, 1929 in Piraeus
Piraeus
Piraeus is a city in the region of Attica, Greece. Piraeus is located within the Athens Urban Area, 12 km southwest from its city center , and lies along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf....
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
- His family is of Kefalonian origin) (born Anastasios Yannoulatos, ) is the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania
Archbishop of Tirana
This is a list of Eastern Orthodox Archbishops of Tirana and all Albania, under the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania.-Sources:** ...
and as such the primate
Primate (religion)
Primate is a title or rank bestowed on some bishops in certain Christian churches. Depending on the particular tradition, it can denote either jurisdictional authority or ceremonial precedence ....
and Head of the Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Orthodox
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
Church of Albania
Albanian Orthodox Church
The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania is one of the newest autocephalous Eastern Orthodox churches. It declared its autocephaly in 1922, and gained recognition from the Patriarch of Constantinople in 1937....
. He was elected on June 1992. Professor Emeritus of the National University of Athens. Honorary Member of the Academy of Athens. Archbishop Anastasios is one of the presidents of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
. Honorary President of the World Conference of Religions for Peace.
Life and career
StudiesCertificate of High School (1947, with High Honours). B.D. of the National University of Athens (1952, with High Honours). Post-graduate studies in History of Religions
History of religions
The history of religion refers to the written record of human religious experiences and ideas. This period of religious history begins with the invention of writing about 5,000 years ago in the Near East. The prehistory of religion relates to a study of religious beliefs that existed prior to the...
, Ethnology
Ethnology
Ethnology is the branch of anthropology that compares and analyzes the origins, distribution, technology, religion, language, and social structure of the ethnic, racial, and/or national divisions of humanity.-Scientific discipline:Compared to ethnography, the study of single groups through direct...
, Missions, and Africanology in the Universities of Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
and Marburg
Marburg
Marburg is a city in the state of Hesse, Germany, on the River Lahn. It is the main town of the Marburg-Biedenkopf district and its population, as of March 2010, was 79,911.- Founding and early history :...
. Research in the Makerere University College, Kampala – Uganda, as scholar (1965–69) of the German Foundation Alexander von Humboldt. ThD of the Theological Faculty of the National University of Athens (1970, Summa cum laude). During his military service (1952–54) he attended the Schools of the Reserve Offices of Syros and of the MB Signals (to both first in rank and chief of School). He studied various religions (Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
, Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, Taoism
Taoism
Taoism refers to a philosophical or religious tradition in which the basic concept is to establish harmony with the Tao , which is the mechanism of everything that exists...
, Confucianism
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
, African religions, Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
) in the countries where they prosper (e.g. India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Korea, Japan, China, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Brazil, Caribbean, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Turkey).
Languages (Besides New and Ancient Greek) English, French, German. Working knowledge of Latin, Italian, Spanish, Albanian, Russian, Kiswahili).
Church ministry
Ordained: Deacon (7.8.1960); Priest – Archmandrite (24.5.1964); Bishop of Androussa for the position of the General Director of «Apostoliki Diakonia of the Church of Greece
Church of Greece
The Church of Greece , part of the wider Greek Orthodox Church, is one of the autocephalous churches which make up the communion of Orthodox Christianity...
» (19.11.1972). Acting Archbishop (Locum Tenens) of the Holy Archbishopric of Irinoupolis (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) (1981–1991). Patriarchal Exarch in Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
(Jan. 1991 – June 1992). Metropolitan of Androussa (Aug. 1991 – June 1992). Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and Primate of Albania (June 24, 1992 ff.). (For service in Africa and in Albania see below).
Scientific career
Lehrbeauftragte, for teaching modern-Greek language and philology – University of Marburg, Germany (1966–69). He organized and directed the «Center of Missionary Studies» at the University of Athens (1971–76). Associate Professor of History of Religions (1972–76). Full Professor of History of Religions in the National University of Athens (1976–97). Prof. Emeritus (1997 ff.). At the same University: 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 Club of Students. Chairman of the Commission of Solidarity in the Cyprian Struggle (1975–84). Member of the Committee of Research of the University of Athens (1986–1990). and the «Inter-Orthodox Center of Athens» of the Church Greece (1971–75). Member of the Council of the Centre of Mediterranean and Arabic Studies (1978–82).
ThD h.c. of: The Theological School of the Holy Cross, Brookline, Ma, USA (1989), the Theological Faculty of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is the largest Greek university, and the largest university in the Balkans. It was named after the philosopher Aristotle, who was born in Stageira, Chalcidice, about 55 km east of Thessaloniki, in Central Macedonia...
(1995), and the St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (2003). Theological School of the Craiova University (2006); Theological Faculty of the Pontifical University of South Italy (2009); Honorary Member of the Moscow Theological Academy (1998). D. Staniloae Diploma Univ. Bucharest (the highest theological distinction of this University) (2003).
PhD h.c. of: The Department of History and Archaeology of the Philosophical Faculty of the University of Ioannina (1996); The Agricultural University of Athens (1996); The Department of Political Science and Public Administration of the Law, Economic and Political Sciences and all the Departments of the Philosophical Faculty of the National University of Athens (1998); the Department of International and European Studies of the University of Piraeus (2001); The Department of Philology of the University of Crete (2002); The Departments of Physics, Medicine, Primary Education and Civic Engineers of the University of Patras (2002); Doctor of Humane Letters of Boston University (2004); The Departments of Medical and Agricultural of University of Thesalia, and Golden Medal of this University (2005); the History Department of the Ionian University
Ionian University
The Ionian University is a university located in the city of Corfu, Greece. It was established in 1984 by the Greek government under the Prime Ministership of Andreas Papandreou, in recognition of Corfu's contribution to Education in Greece as the seat of the first University of Greece, the Ionian...
, Corfou (2007); the University of Korça (2008); of the Departments of History and Ethnology as well as of Languages and Culture of Thrace’s Dimokriteian University (2009); ); the University of Cyprus
University of Cyprus
The University of Cyprus is a public coeducational university established by the Republic of Cyprus in 1989. It admitted its first students in 1992 and has currently approximately 6000 students .-History:...
(2010).
Church and Social Work
Laypreacher, catechetical work with teenagers; responsible for Bible studies, students camps, missionary efforts in new social frontiers. (1954–60). Founder and director of the Inter-Orthodox Missionary Centre «Porefthendes» (1961 ff.). He organized and directed (1971–74) the Inter-Orthodox Centre of the Church of Greece; during his term of office there dozens of Conferences, Seminars and other Church and social activities were organized. During his post-graduate studies in Germany he ministered to the emigrant Greek workers and students. He has been: Member of the Council: of the High School of Social Work – Deaconesses (1977–84); of the Highest Official Committee of the Church of Greece (1977–85); of the Committee of the Ecclesiastical Education of the Ministry of National Education and Religions (1977–82); 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). Member of the Philekpaideutike Society (1994 ff.).
International inter-ecclesiastical activity
General Secretary of the «Executive Committee for the External Mission» (1958–61), and Vice-president of the International Organization of Orthodox Youth «Syndesmos» (1964–1977). Member of the «International Commission for Missionary Studies» of the WCC (1963–1969). Secretary for «Missionary Research and the Relations with the Orthodox Churches», in the General Secretariat of the WCC (1969–71). Member of many international scientistic committees, such as: the «Deutsche Gesellschaft für Missionswissenschaft»; the «International Society of Missionary Research»; the Commission of the WCC for the Dialogue with Other Churches and Ideologies (1975–83); the Mixed Commission of the «Conference of European Churches» and the «Conference of Roman Catholic Bishops», «Islam in Europe» (1989–91); the «International Council» of the World Conference on Religion and Peace (1985–94).
From 1959 onwards he has participated in a number of international, inter-Orthodox, inter-Christian and inter-religious conferences, and World Assemblies (several times as main speaker) representing the Church, or the University in international organizations. He has offered lectures to several University centers concerning Christian witness, the inter-religious dialogue, and worldwide solidarity and peace.
Honorary member of the Curatorium of the Roman Catholic Institution «Pro Oriente», Vienna (1989 ff.). President-Moderator of the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism of the WCC (1984–1991). Member of the Central Committee of the WCC (1998–2006). Fellow of the Orthodox Academy of Crete (2001). Corresponding Member of the Academy of Athens
Academy of Athens
Academy of Athens may refer to:* Platonic Academy* Academy of Athens...
(1993–2005). Member of the European Council of Religious Leaders/Religions for Peace (2001 ff.). Vice-president of the Conference of European Churches (2003–2009). President of the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
(2006-) (one of the eight presidents). Honorary President of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (2006-).
East Africa
Archbishop Anastasios has played a leading role in the contemporary renewal of the External Mission of the Orthodox Church. In the decade 1981-91, as Locum Tenens (Acting Archbishop) of the Holy Archbishopric of Irinoupolis – East Africa (Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
), he established and organized the Patriarchal School «Archbishop of Cyprus Macarios», which he directed for a decade; he ordained 62 African clergymen and consecrated 42 readers-catechists coming from eight African tribes; At the same time, he promoted the work of translation of the Holy Liturgy into four African languages. He took care of the stabilization of about 150 Orthodox parishes and decades of construction of churches, of the building of seven missionary stations and worked for the creation of schools and medical stations.
Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
As Archbishop, within huge difficulties, he achieved the restoration, from her foundation, of the Church of Albania –more than 400 parishes were reorganized; He established the Theological Academy «Resurrection» in Durrës
Durrës
Durrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically important cities of Albania. Durres is situated at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari...
(1992) and 2 Ecclesiastical Lycees. He educated and ordained 150 clerics. He established 50 Youth Centres in several cities. He took care of the translation efforts, the edition of liturgical and other religious books. He erected 150 new churches, restored 70 others and repaired 160 more, as well as 45 ecclesiastical centres (Archdiocese and Metropole buildings, schools, medical centres, guest’s houses, youth camps, etc.). The total construction work comes to 425 buildings.
He developed the charity work, through the distribution of hundreds of tons of food, clothes, medicine. He founded a monthly newspaper and three periodicals, as well as a Radio station. He took care for the establishment of the Workshops of the Church (printing-house, candle factory, carpenter’s shop, workshops for iconography and restoration of icons).
At the same time, he developed pioneer programmes in the areas of education, health, social care, rural development, culture and ecology. (e.g. He established the Medical Diagnostical Centre with 24 specialities in Tirana and three medical centres in other cities; University “Logos” (Tirana), also two Institutes of Professional Formation; a Professional Lycee; three primary schools; a Boarding school for girls, and 17 nursery schools in different cities. He oversaw the construction of roads, aqueducts, bridges, reparation of public schools, etc.
During the critical period of Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
(1999), he organized a large humanitarian programme, which helped about 33.000 refugees in several parts of Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
. He linked the Church of Albania with international Ecclesiastical organizations. He is founding member of the Interchurch Bible Society of Albania and the Interfaith Council of Albania. During the political tension between Greece and Albania, he contributed to the relaxation and the rapprochement of the two countries.
Through his initiatives work was given to thousands of men; serious works of social structure were created and the Orthodox Church of Albania has come to be a multi-dynamic spiritual and developmental factor. At the same time he struggled for the easing of the controversies in the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
. In 2000, through the proposal of the Academy of Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
and many personalities in Albania, he was a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
.
He was honored with
The Holy Cross of the Apostle and Evangelist Mark, First Class, of the Patriarchate of Alexandria (1985), of Saint Catherine of the Mount Sinai (1985), of Sts. Cyrill and Methodios of the Orthodox Church of Czeschoslovakia (1986); the Silver Medal of the Academy of Athens «as the promoter and pioneer of missionary theology and action» (1987), and the Golden Medal with Laurel of the Greek Red Cross (1994); the Grand Cross of the Order of Honor of the Hellenic Republic (1997); the Medal of the Great Prince Vladimir (first class) of the Russian Church (1998); the Medal of Apostle Andreas of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (1999); the Grand Cross of the Order of the Orthodox Crusaders of the Holy Sepulchre (2000); the Life Achievement Prize of the Council of Greeks Abroad (2000).
He was also honored with: the Athenagoras Human Rights Award 2001 (New York); the «Pro Humanitate», of the European Cultural Institution Pro Europe (Freiburg) (2001); the Grand Cross of the Order of Apostle Paul of the Church of Greece (2001); the Golden Medal of Honor and welfare work of the City of Athens (2001); the Golden key of the City of Thessaloniki (2002), and of Lamia (2002); the Polish humanitarian award «Ecce Homo» (2003); the Medal from the President of the Romanian Democracy (2003); the Golden Medal, first class, of the Municipality of Piraeus (2005); Honorary Citizen of Tirana
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
(2005) and Korça
Korča
Korča is a village in the municipality of Hadžići, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:...
(2007); the Prize «for outstanding activities in strengthening Unity of Orthodox Christian Nations» (Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
2006); Medal of Yaroslav the Wiseman of the Ukrainian Democracy (2008); Grand Golden Medal of Apostle Barnabas of the Church of Cyprus (2008); the Grand Cross of the Order of Apostle Marc of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa (2009).
Publications
Author of 18 books, including The Spirits M’bandwa and the framework of their Cult (1970, in Greek); «The Lord of Brightness». The God of the Tribes East of Kenya. A Research in the History of Religion (in Greek, 1971; 3rd edition 1983). Various Christian Approaches to the Other Religions (1971); Islam: A General Survey (in Greek, 1975; 15th edition 2006); Universality and Orthodoxy (in Greek, 2000; 6th edition 2006), translated in Serbian (2002), Romanian (2003), Albanian (2004), Bulgarian (2005); and in English: Facing the World: Orthodox Christian Essays on Global Concerns, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, and WCC 2003). Footprints of the Quest for the Transcendent (in Greek, 2004; 3rd ed. 2006). Mission in Christ’s Way (2007, in Greek). To the End of the Earth (2009, in Greek). In Africa (2010, in Greek).
He also published three Catechetical Manuels (1960–1982; in seven reprints 1978-1982); and more than 240 essays and articles, including: “Monks and Mission in the Eastern Church during the Fourth Century” (1966). “Les Missions des Eglises d’Orient” (1972). “Relations between Man and Nature in the World Religions” (1983). “Die Mystik in Byzanz” (1983). “Der Dialog mit dem Islam aus orthodoxen Sicht” (1986). “Orthodoxe Mission. Vergangenheit, Gegenwart, Zukunft” (1999). “Orthodoxy Faces the Third Millennium” (2000). “The Church of Albania. History and Spiritual Tradition” (2000). “Responsabilité apostolique et dimension universelle de l’Eglise” (2001). “Problems and Prospects of Inter-religious Dialogue” (2002). “God, in your grace transform the world” (2006). “Christen in einem multi-religiösen geeinten Europa” (2007). “La lumière du Christ et l’Europe” (2008). “Η Ορθόδοξος Αυτοκέφαλος Εκκλησία της Αλβανίας σήμερα” (2009). “Appelés à une seule espérance en Christ” (2009).
Founder and editor of bilingual quarterly Porefthentes (Go-Ye) (1960–1970), of the quarterly review Panta ta Ethne (All Nations) (1981–92). Also in Albanian: the quarterly Kërkim (Search) and the monthly newspaper Ngjallja (Resurrection). From his essays and articles a number have also been published into German, French, Russian, Swedish, Finnish, Serbian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Italian, Spanish and Albanian.
Archbishop Anastasios is considered a pioneer in the rekindling of the missionary endeavour in the Orthodox Churches. Scholar in the field of History of Religions and inter-religious dialogue. Simultaneously, he has struggled as a peace-maker within the Balkans.
Titles
The official title of the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania is:His Beatitude, Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania;