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Archbishop Anastasios, a prominent figure in promoting interfaith dialogue

2025-01-25 11:00:00, Aktualitet Genti Kruja

Archbishop Anastasios, Archbishop of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, played a key role in strengthening interfaith cooperation and understanding in Albania and abroad. He was known for his tireless commitment to promoting coexistence between different religious faiths, a mission that has remained at the center of his activity for many years.

Co-Founder and Chairman of the Interreligious Council of Albania

One of Archbishop Anastasios’ most important achievements was the co-founding of the Interreligious Council of Albania (IRC) in 2007, together with the three late presidents, the head of the Muslim Community of Albania H. Selim Muca, the head of the Catholic Church in Albania Mons. Rrok Mirdita and the World Patriarch of the Bektashi Order H. Dede Reshat Barshi. This council, which brings together representatives of various religious groups in Albania, has been a key platform for promoting interreligious dialogue and coordinating initiatives that support peaceful coexistence and mutual respect. In 2018, the Board of the Presidency of the Interreligious Council admitted the Evangelical Brotherhood of Albania as full member and today this council is coordinated by five different religious communities.

In 2018-2019 and 2024, Archbishop Anastasios served as Chairman of the Interreligious Council of Albania, a position in which he has led efforts to strengthen ties between the various religious communities in Albania and to maintain an impartial and balanced stance.

International role as Honorary President of Religions for Peace

Beyond his activities within Albania, Archbishop Anastas has also played an important role in the international arena. He has been twice elected as Honorary President of Religions for Peace, an international organization that brings together religious leaders and interfaith councils from around the world to promote peace and coexistence between different religious faiths. Most recently, he was re-elected at the 10th World Assembly of Religions for Peace, held in Lindau, Germany, in 2019 with the participation of the President of Germany, a year when he chaired the Interfaith Council of Albania. This international engagement reflects the great trust and respect that the Archbishop has earned for his contributions to promoting interfaith dialogue and global peace.

He also served as the first Chairman of the Interreligious Council of Albania in 2019, a year when the Council took an important step towards strengthening interfaith coexistence in Albania. The position of Chairman, which would be passed for a one-year term to each leader of each religious community, created a rotation system, reflecting the distribution of power and the inclusion of all religious groups, based on and included in the statute.

Intellectual work and contribution to interreligious dialogue

In addition to his commitment as a spiritual and organizational leader, Archbishop Anastasios is also the author of many books and publications, where he gives special importance to interreligious dialogue and relations with non-Christians. He has written and contributed to studies that emphasize the importance of peaceful coexistence and respect between different faiths, especially between Christians and Muslims. His intellectual work has had a great impact on promoting an open, tolerant and understanding-oriented society.

Promoting interfaith academic cooperation between the three theologies in Albania

Another important dimension of Archbishop Anastasios’ contribution is the promotion of interfaith academic cooperation between the three theologies of Albania – Islamic, Orthodox and Catholic, respectively the Department of Islamic Sciences at Bedër University College, the Orthodox Theological Academy “Shën Vlash”, today the Department of Theology and Culture at “Logos” University College and the Catholic Theological and Philosophical Institute “Mother of Good Counsel” at the Interdiocesan Seminary, Shkodër. He has played an important role in creating opportunities for students and academics from these institutions to collaborate, exchange ideas and develop joint projects.

Archbishop Anastasios has supported the creation of opportunities for interfaith conferences and seminars, where theology students can discuss common topics that affect coexistence and the development of peace between different religious faiths. This cooperation has brought a deeper understanding of shared traditions and values ??between religious communities, contributing to the strengthening of interfaith dialogue and respect, which is essential for the development of a stable and peaceful society, especially in a multi-religious country like Albania.

A model for spiritual and intellectual leadership

Archbishop Anastasios was one of the most prominent figures of religious and intellectual leadership, not only in Albania, but also globally. His continued commitment to interfaith dialogue, strengthening peace and coexistence between faiths, and fostering interfaith academic cooperation is a valuable lesson for all who follow him and a model for responsible leadership in an increasingly divided world./ CNA