Died at the age of 95/ The life and works of Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos

2025-01-25 08:32:00, Aktualitet CNA

Who was Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos?

Anastas Yanullatos was born on November 4, 1929 in Piraeus, Greece. He was raised in the faith and during his formative years he actively participated in the Church. At first, the Archbishop enjoyed mathematics and during his teenage years he wanted to continue his studies in this science.

His ideas changed with the outbreak of World War II. During the war years, Yanullatos began to experience his faith in a more personal way. He witnessed much of the suffering and devastation of war. Within the chaos he could find meaning only by digging deep into his faith. For the world and his country to be saved from the evils of war as well as from the consequences of the civil war in Greece, Yanullatos understood the urgent need for a message of inner peace, peace that comes through Jesus Christ.

This experience led Janullatos to abandon his desires for other fields of study and pursue theology. So thrilling was this desire that he said:

"For me it was not enough to give something to God, I had to give myself completely to Him. I wanted my whole being to live in Christ."

Died at the age of 95/ The life and works of Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos

In 1947 he graduated with honors from high school and in 1947 , he began the Faculty of Theology at the University of Athens, where he graduated with honors in 1951 .

In 1953 he graduated with honors from the National University of Athens. In the years 1965 - 1969 he completed postgraduate studies in History of Religions, Ethnology, Missiology and Africanology at the Universities of Hamburg and Marburg. He undertook research at Makerere University, in Kampala - Uganda, with a scholarship from the German Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

Archbishop Anastasios was an Honorary Doctor of the Faculty of Theology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (1970, Summa cum laude). He has studied various religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, African religions, Islam) in countries where they flourish (e.g. India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Korea, Japan, China, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Brazil, the Caribbean, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Turkey).

Yanullatos then joined the “ZOI” (LIFE) brotherhood, a religious organization focused on the spiritual revival of the Church in Greece. His responsibilities included mission to the youth of his country. He became a leader of student movements, youth camps, and fought to make the Orthodox faith real and tangible for the young people around him. Through these experiences, Yanullatos discovered the impact that these programs had on the Church on a large scale. He realized that without such missionary service, the Eastern Orthodox Church would lose its purpose and eventually decline.

During these years, Janullatos also participated in an international Orthodox youth movement called “Syndesmos.” He served as Secretary General from 1958 to 1961 and then as Vice President from 1964 to 1978.

During this time he met other young leaders who shared the same zeal to proclaim the Gospel. Together they began to understand that Christ could never be satisfied with proclaiming the Gospel only within the Church. His original command was to go to all nations. Therefore, missions are not only internal, but also external. The Great Commission of the past is a great responsibility for the present.

At that time Anastas Janullatos wrote:

“A Church without mission is a contradiction in terms... If the Church is unswerving in the apostolic work entrusted to her, she denies herself, contradicts herself and her essence, and betrays the battle she is waging. A Church that stands still, a Church that lacks the vision and the constant effort to proclaim the Gospel to the unbaptized, can hardly be recognized as a Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, to which the Lord entrusted the continuation of His work.”

In addition to modern and ancient Greek, he is fluent in the foreign languages ??English, French, and German. He also knows Latin, Italian, Spanish, Albanian, Russian, and Swahili.

Church Service

Died at the age of 95/ The life and works of Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos

He was ordained Deacon (7. 8. 1960); Priest-Archimandrite (24. 5. 1964), Bishop of Andrusa for the office of General Director of the “Apostolic Diakonia” (Apostolic Service) of the Church of Greece (19. 11. 1972), Metropolitan (1992).

Yanullatos was a lecturer in Modern Greek and Philology at the University of Marburg, Germany (1966-1969) . Associate Professor of History of Religions in 1972-1976 . He then returned to Greece, where he was Professor of History of Religions at the National University of Athens ( 1976-1996, Prof. Emeritus 1996 and onwards ). At the same University he was Director of the Department of Religious Studies (1983-1986) and Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Member of the Senate (1983-1986) . He continued to be a member of the Research Committee of the University of Athens (1986-1990) . Yanullatos organized and directed the “Center for Missionary Studies” at the University of Athens (1971-1976) and the “Inter-Orthodox Center of Athens” of the Church of Greece (1971-1975) . He was a member of the Council of the Center for Mediterranean and Arab Studies (1978-1982) .

Janullatos was an Honorary Doctor of Theology from the Theological Faculty of the “Holy Cross”, Brooklyn Massachusetts, USA (1989) , of the Theological Faculty of the “Aristotle” University of Thessaloniki (1995) and of the Orthodox Faculty of Saint Vladimir (2003); of the Theological Faculty of the University of Craiova (2006) ; Honorary Member of the Moscow Theological Academy (1998) . D. Staniloae Diploma of the University of Bucharest (the highest award of this University) (2003) . Also an Honorary Doctor of the Theological Faculty of the Pontifical University of Southern Italy (2009) . Honorary Doctor of the Theological Faculty of the University of Georgia (2010) .

Died at the age of 95/ The life and works of Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos

Finally, Janullatos was an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy: of the Department of History and Archaeology of the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Ioannina (1996) of the Agricultural University of Athens (1996) , of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration of Law, Economics and Political Science and all the Departments of the Faculty of Philosophy of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (1998) , of the Department of International and European Studies of the University of Piraeus (2001) , of the Department of Philology of the University of Crete (2002), of the Department of Physics, Medicine, Primary Education and Civil Engineering of the University of Patras (2002), Doctor of Humane Letters of Boston University (2004) , of the History Department of the Ionian University, Corfu (2007), of the University of Korça (2008) , of the Departments of History and Ethnology, as well as of Languages ??and Culture of the “Demokriti” University of Thrace (2009) . He was a partner of the Orthodox Academy of Crete (2001) and a Corresponding Member of the Academy of Athens (1993-2005) . From 2005 onwards he was an Honorary Member of the Academy of Athens.

He was a member of: the Council of the Higher School of Social Workers (1977-84) ; the High Official Committee for the Church of Greece (1977-85) ; the Committee for Church Education of the Ministry of National Education and Religions ( 1977-1982 ); the Committee for the Protection of the Cultural Heritage of Cyprus (1985-91); the Scholarship Committee of the “Alexander Onassis” Foundation (1978-94) ; the “Alexander Onassis” Foundation (1994-2005) . Member of the Filekpedheftiki Society (1994 onwards.)

Interchurch, interfaith, international activity

Died at the age of 95/ The life and works of Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos

General Secretary of the “Executive Committee for Foreign Missions” (1958-1961), and Vice-President of the International Orthodox Youth Organization “Syndesmos” (1964-1977). Member of the “International Committee for Missionary Studies” of the World Council of Churches (1963-1969). Secretary for “Missionary Research and Relations with the Orthodox Church”, of the General Secretariat of the World Council of Churches (1969-1971). Member of many international scientific committees such as: “Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Missionswissenschaft Archived April 2, 2019 at the Wayback Machine”; of the “International Society of Missionary Research”; of the World Council of Churches Commission for Dialogue with Other Churches and Ideologies (1975-1983); of the Mixed Commission of the “Conference of European Churches” and “of the Council of the Roman Catholic Episcopal Conference”, of “Islam in Europe” (1989-1991); of the International Committee of the “World Conference on Religion and Peace” (1985-1994). From 1959 onwards, he has participated in a large number of international conferences, inter-Orthodox, inter-Christian and inter-religious, in the World Assembly (several times as a keynote speaker), representing the Church, or the University or international organizations.

Died at the age of 95/ The life and works of Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos

He has lectured at many university centers on Christian witness, interreligious dialogue and international solidarity and peace. He is an Honorary Member of the Curatorium of the Roman Catholic Institute “Pro Oriente” Vienna (since 1989). President-Moderator of the Commission for World Mission and Evangelization of the World Council of Churches (1984-1991). Member of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (1998-2006). Member of the European Council of Religious Leaders “Religions for Peace” (2001 and onwards). Vice-President of the Conference of European Churches (2003-2009). President of the World Council of Churches (2006-). Honorary President of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (2006-), President of the Interreligious Council of Albania (2018-).

Archbishop of Albania

In 1991, he was appointed Patriarchal Exarch in Albania by the Ecumenical Patriarch. In June 1992, he was elected Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania and on August 2, 1992, he was enthroned in the Church of the Annunciation in Tirana.

Through numerous difficulties, he rebuilt the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania from the ruins, reorganized more than 400 parishes, founded the Theological Academy "Resurrection of Christ" in Durrës (1992) and two ecclesiastical Lyceums; educated and ordained 159 clergy.

Died at the age of 95/ The life and works of Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos

He founded 50 youth centers in different cities. He took care of the translation and publication of liturgical books and other religious books. 155 new churches were built, 63 others were restored and more than 160 existing churches were repaired, as well as 75 church centers (Bishopric and Metropolitan Buildings, schools, medical centers, hostels, youth camps, etc.).

The total construction work amounts to about 500 buildings. He carried out charitable works, distributing hundreds of tons of food, clothing and medicine. He founded a monthly newspaper and three magazines, as well as a radio station. He took care of the construction of the Church's workshops (printing house, candle factory, carpentry, icon workshops and their restoration).

At the same time, it developed pioneering programs in the fields of education, health, social care, rural development, culture, and ecology.

He founded the Diagnostic Medical Center Archived April 1, 2019 at the Wayback Machine with 24 specialties in Tirana and 4 medical centers in other cities, also the Theological Academy, two Vocational Training Institutes, from 2010 in Tirana the "Logos" University College Archived June 3, 2019 at the Wayback Machine, a vocational high school, 5 primary and secondary schools, a girls' boarding school and 20 kindergartens in different cities.

He took care of the construction of roads, waterworks, bridges, the repair of public schools, etc.). During the critical period of Kosovo (1999), he organized a wide humanitarian program, which helped about 33,000 refugees in different parts of Albania. He connected the Church of Albania with international church organizations. He is a founding member of the Interdenominational Bible Society of Albania and the Interreligious Council of Albania.

During the political tensions between Greece and Albania, he contributed to their mitigation and the rapprochement of the two countries. On October 24, 2008, according to Article 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of Albania, Archbishop Anastas Janullatos signed the Agreement provided for by the Constitution between the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania and the Council of Ministers, which was subsequently ratified by the People's Assembly and on January 22, 2009, was decreed by the President of the Republic, Mr. Bamir Topi, and became State Law No. 10057/22.1.2009, an agreement that regulates the relations between the State and the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania according to the legal regime of Albania, which is administered and regulated according to the new Statute approved in November 2006, in the special Clerical-Laity Assembly, in Durrës.

Through his initiatives and work, thousands of people have been provided with jobs, serious works of social structure have been created, and the Orthodox Church of Albania has become a multi-dynamic spiritual factor and a factor of progress.

He is an initiator in the renewal of missionary efforts in the Orthodox Church. A scholar in the field of the History of Religions and interreligious dialogue. At the same time, he is known for his efforts as a peacemaker in the Balkans.

His contribution to the field of science, to contemporary Christian witness, to rapprochement with other Christian denominations, to interreligious dialogue, and to peaceful coexistence between peoples and religions is universally recognized. He has been awarded many decorations and prizes from various countries.

laurels

Died at the age of 95/ The life and works of Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos

He was honored with the Holy Cross of the Apostle and Evangelist Mark, First Class, of the Patriarchate of Alexandria (1985), with the Cross of Saint Catherine of Mount Sinai (Egypt) (1985), with that of Saints Cyril and Methodius of the Orthodox Church of Czechoslovakia (1986); with the Silver Medal of the Academy of Athens “as a promoter and pioneer of missionary work and labor” (1987), with the Gold Medal with the Laurel of the Greek Red Cross (1994), with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honor of the Hellenic Republic (1997), with the Medal of Grand Prince Vladimir (First Class) of the Russian Church, with the Medal of the Apostle Andrew of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (Constantinople/Istanbul) (1999), with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Orthodox Crusaders of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem) (2000), with the Success Award of the Council of Greeks in the Diaspora (2000).

Died at the age of 95/ The life and works of Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos

He has also been honored with the Athenagoras Prize for Human Rights 2001 (New York), the “Pro Humanitarian” of the European Cultural Institute Pro Europe (Freiburg) (2001), the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Paul of the Church of Greece (2001), the Medal of Honor and Work for the General Welfare of the City of Athens (2001), the Golden Key of the City of Thessaloniki (2002), and of Lamia (2002), Honorary Citizen of Tirana and Korça, the Polish Humanitarian Prize “Ecce Homo” (2003), the Medal of the President of the Romanian Republic (2003), the First Class Gold Medal of the Municipality of Piraeus (2005), the Prize “for Extraordinary Activities in Strengthening the Unity of Orthodox Christian Nations” (Moscow 2006), the Medal of Yaroslav the Sage of the Republic of Ukraine (2008), with the Great Golden Medal of the Apostle Barnabas of the Church of Cyprus (2008), with the Great Cross of the Apostle Mark of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa (2009), the "Gjergj Kastrioti - Skanderbeg" medal of the Republic of Albania (2010, by the President of the Republic of Albania Mr. Bamir Topi, Honorary Senator of the European Academy of Sciences and Art in Salzburg, Austria (2019).

Anastas Janullatos is the author of dozens of scientific books and studies and articles with theological and religious content./ CNA