His Beatitude Joan: Archbishop Anastasios' public and private preaching was respect and love for every human being

2026-01-22 19:09:00, Aktualitet CNA

His Beatitude Joan: Archbishop Anastasios' public and private preaching was

His Beatitude, Joan, delivered his speech at the international memorial conference in honor of the late Archbishop of Albania, Anastasios, on the occasion of the first anniversary of his passing.

Archbishop Joan stated that by honoring his life and work, people honor themselves, the Church, and their country. He stated that the crowning achievement of Archbishop Anastasios will always remain the rebuilding of the Orthodox Church in Albania from the ruins.

His Beatitude further said that His public and private preaching has always been respect and love for every human being.

The Head of the Orthodox Church praised the great and important contribution of the late Archbishop Anastasios to interfaith dialogue, in particular with Islam.

“I feel honored to be given the opportunity to speak about the work of Archbishop Anastasios. By honoring the work of this great man, we honor ourselves, our Church, and our country. My position is unique not only as a scholar of theology, but also as a witness and collaborator of his during more than 30 years of the rebirth of the Church in Albania. As he himself expressed it, Christianity considers service as the royal road to self-fulfillment; by serving others and helping them to salvation, we also help and save ourselves.

His book “Globalization and Orthodoxy” represents the most systematic Orthodox contribution to the theological debate on globalization. This book takes on special importance because the thoughts presented involve all of humanity.

The crowning achievement of his work is the resurrection from the ruins of the Orthodox Church in Albania. On June 24, 1992, Archbishop Anastasios was elected head of the church and with this election the resurrection from the ruins began. Time has shown that this was the right choice. For this election, we sincerely thank the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which in these years of resurrection has shown special care for our church. The resurrection was a re-dimensioning of the church to a higher and broader level.

During 1999, when our country received a wave of Kosovar immigrants, the Orthodox Church under the leadership of Archbishop Anastasios organized an aid program of more than 12 million dollars. The most shining pearl in the construction work is the cathedral in Tirana. Everything in this building shows that he did his utmost to give the church here the most beautiful and the best.

Archbishop Anastasios prioritized efforts to give a righteous spirit within the Church. Buildings for him were not an end in themselves but only a means. They were built for people and in their service. His public and private preaching has always been respect and love for every human being. His important role in interreligious dialogue is known, especially with Islam. He has been the protagonist of many agreements and great achievements in interreligious dialogue. His books, essays and articles, although written at different times, have an internal unity and cohesion.

I can tell you with conviction that I do not know another person who could have given this country more, without asking for or receiving anything in return. Through his example, he has strengthened in all of us, the unwavering faith in God. His life and work will be an example of inspiration for generations to come. We should not stop only in worshiping his life and work, but we should follow him” , said Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania Joani. /CNA