Albania, Tilana (AP) -Tirana (AP) -The coastal of the communist system in 1990, the church said on Saturday that the Avanian Bishop, Anastasios, who revived the Orthodox Church of the State. He was 95 years old.
ANASTASIOS, the bishop of Tirana, Durres, and Allbania, is the head of Albania's Self -Admiral Orthodox Church and has died in the intensive care room of Athens Evanjelismos Hospital in Athens for “polyorgan deficiency.” He was hospitalized in Tilana for a virus infection on December 30, but was transferred to Athens a few days later. He said on January 10 to cope with gastrointestinal bleeding, and his situation was important since then.
“His blessings, Bishop Anastasios, was a rehabilitation of the Albanian Orthodox Church and was literally raised from the archeological site after the atheist administration collapsed,” said the church. “He rebuilt the church's life from Zero, built hundreds of churches, established education and charitable organizations, provided endless sacrificial services for over 33 years, and a new generation of clergy. Formed.
Albanian President Vasilum Vegaji said that Albania had lost his “spiritual leaders and prominent personality.”
“His grace's heritage will continue to live in the hearts of loved ones, praising him,” said Vegaji.
“Contribution to orthodox Christianity is very valuable,” said Greece Prime Minister Killycos Mitotakis.
“He left not only (Albania) but also a mark that did not disappear,” Mitotakis posted to social media.
In 1929, the birth of Anastasios Yannulatos in Greece and arrived in Albania shortly after the collapse of the Communist Party administration, which had been dominated since the mid -1940s, revived the country -oriented orthodox church.
The Communist government banned all religious practices and expanded the assets of established Islam, orthodox, Catholic, and other religions.
According to 2023 census, Albanian orthodox believers account for about 7 % of the population of 2.4 million, but the church is actually high. A small country in the western part of Vulcan is about half of the Muslims, followed by Catholics, orthodox, and other religious communities and non -believers.
After the collapse of the communist system in December 1990, religion was permitted again, but the believers were lacking in worship places such as mosques and churches. Many were confiscated by the old administration. Real estate returns are not yet perfect, as the religious community has still been claiming areas and buildings.
Anastasios worked to revitalize the Orthodox Church in Albania and was elected in 1992. He was also focused on pagan dialogue and promoting church assistance in domestic healthcare, education, and social development.
In Albania after Communism, more than 400 parishes were reorganized. Approximately 150 new churches were built, 60 churches, monasteries, and cultural monuments have recovered, and 160 churches and 70 church buildings have been rebuilt.
The bishops have educated and nerigned 168 clergy, and established the Youth Center on various cities. He also supervised translation into Albanian, publishing of liturgy books and other religious books.
The church has also built three hydropower projects, contributing to its mental, charitable and educational efforts.
Anastasios was born on November 4, 1929 in Piles, Greece. He acquired the Athens University and a philosophy of theology and studied at the University of Hamburg in Germany and at the University of Marburg.
He was praised for the work of scholars who served as a professor and undergraduate professor at the University of Athens, and played the role of leadership in international religious organizations, including the World Church Council.
He wrote and published articles on more than 200 religious studies translated into 17 languages, commissioned essays, orthodox spirituality, 200 or more research, theology and religious themes.
