Bishop Heinrich Bedform Strohm: Archbishop Anastasios the most influential figure in the Orthodox ecumenical movement

2025-01-30 14:18:00, Aktualitet CNA

Bishop Heinrich Bedform Strohm: Archbishop Anastasios the most influential

The Chairman of the Central Commission of the World Council of Churches, His Grace Bishop, Prof. Dr. Heinrich Bedform-Strohm, in his speech during the funeral ceremony of Archbishop Anastasios, said that he was a great spiritual authority, an impressive theologian, deeply rooted in his tradition and at the same time with an extremely broad horizon.

Bishop Heinrich Bedform-Strohm emphasized that he was one of the most influential figures in the Orthodox ecumenical movement, a towering figure whose contributions to the World Council of Churches (WCC) shaped its mission and expanded its vision.

"We gather today with sorrow and at the same time with deep gratitude, as we entrust the soul of His Beatitude, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania, Anastasius, to the eternal embrace of our risen Lord.

During the last days of the life of the late Archbishop Anastasios, we clearly felt how much he was loved here in Albania, in the place where he performed his long and tireless service to the people who had entered his heart so deeply.

We heard about his extraordinary importance as a spiritual leader and integrator for the entire Orthodox community. Let me add to this the voice of the global ecumenical movement.

For us, Archbishop Anastasios was a great spiritual authority: an impressive theologian, deeply rooted in his tradition and at the same time with an extraordinarily broad horizon. He was a beloved brother in Christ, beloved by all for his humility, grace and love.

For decades, he was one of the most influential figures in the Orthodox ecumenical movement, a towering figure whose contributions to the World Council of Churches (WCC) shaped its mission and expanded its vision.

He served as a visionary theologian and a pragmatic leader, as evidenced, among other things, by his role as president of the World Council of Churches (to name just one of many), making a valuable contribution to this council's mission to unite churches in mutual understanding and common witness.

His extensive theological writings addressed fundamental issues, such as the mission of the Church in a pluralistic world, interreligious dialogue, environmental stewardship, the theology of reconciliation, social justice, and the role of the Church in addressing global economic inequality.

These works remain a powerful source of inspiration, urging Christians around the world to overcome divisions, strengthen mutual understanding, and be a sign of unity in this divided world.

Archbishop Anastasios organized international ecumenical meetings and consultations, creating spaces for dialogue and shared reflection on pressing global issues. He also demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the empowerment of youth and the increasing role of women in the Church.

His theology was deeply relationship-based. It embodied the ecumenism of the heart, a source of inspiration for our engagement in the ecumenical movement, fostering connections across denominations and religious traditions. For Archbishop Anastasios, unity was rooted in the Trinitarian vision of God as a community of love, which calls the Church to reflect this unity in her life and mission. He reminded us that ecumenism is not a secondary activity, but an essential part of the Church’s mission and calling. Christ is not divided; how can we, His people, be divided?

Therefore, as we honor his memory, let us boldly and resolutely embrace the ecumenical mission, inspired by the life he lived with unwavering commitment. He embodied the motto of the last assembly of the World Council of Churches in 2022: “The love of Christ moves the world towards reconciliation and unity.” Let us continue his mission by strengthening our fellowship as Christians and extending our solidarity to all people of good will.

God richly blessed the life of Archbishop Anastasios, and from that life his blessings were generously poured out upon so many people. We, as the World Council of Churches, have been privileged to receive a precious share of these blessings. We praise God for this extraordinary life.

With deep gratitude, we entrust his soul into the arms of God, with the firm belief that he now enters the eternal kingdom, where there is no more suffering, where every tear is wiped away and where only divine peace reigns,” said the Chairman of the Central Commission of the World Council of Churches, His Grace Bishop, Prof. Dr. Heinrich Bedform-Strohm./ CNA