Anastasios of Albania

Anastasios obtained a Certificate of High School with High Honours in 1947, a Bachelor of Divinity from the National University of Athens with High Honors (1952), and carried out post-graduate studies in the History of Religions, Ethnology, Missions, and Africanology at the Universities of Hamburg and Marburg. He undertook research at Makerere University College (1965–69) under the German Foundation Alexander von Humboldt.[6] Th.D. 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, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, African religions, Islam.[5]

Anastasios was ordained as a deacon on 7 August 1960;[1] as a priest on 24 May 1964; and as Bishop of Androusa for the position of the General Director of Apostoliki Diakonia of the Church of Greece on 19 November 1972.[1] He was acting archbishop of the Holy Archbishopric of Irinoupolis (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) from 1981 through 1991 and the Patriarchal Exarch in Albania from January 1991 through June 1992. He was Metropolitan of Androussa from August 1991 through June 1992 and Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and Primate of Albania since June 24, 1992.[7]

After the 2019 Albania earthquake, the primate of the Orthodox Church of Albania received a letter of solidarity from Reverend Olav Fykse Tveit on behalf of the WCC, which affirms that "the poignant images of devastation and destruction grieve us greatly, as do the accounts of families left destitute by this event, especially as winter fast approaches". It concluded with the WCC asking him "to share our message of support and condolence with Christians and with all people of good will in Albania, including religious communities of other faiths with whom you work so closely."[8][9]

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).[10][11]

Lay preacher, 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.).

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).[12] Honorary President of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (2006-).[10][13]