Conference offers tribute to Anastasios, the late archbishop of Albania

Under the theme “Greatness in Doing and Preaching,” religious leaders from across the world are gathering from 22-26 January to commemorate his life.

The international conference is organized under the auspices of His Beatitude Ioan, Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and all Albania.

His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew reflected on the legacy of Anastasios and the importance of the conference during the opening session that took place in Tirana.

“In his person, scriptural reflection was never detached from pastoral action, nor was evangelization severed from humility, dialogue, and love,” said the Ecumenical Patriarch. “The participation of academics and emerging theologians in this worthy endeavour offers a sign of hope, ensuring that the spiritual and doctrinal inheritance entrusted to us is received with discernment, studied with rigor, and transmitted with fidelity.

Opening session of the conference — Opening session of the memorial international conference as a tribute to Anastasios, the late Archbishop of Albania, on the first anniversary of his passing, "Logos" University College, Tirana, Albania, 22 January 2026, Photo: Jorgo Kobuzi/Orthodox Church of Albania Press

H.E. Archbishop Dr Vicken Aykazian, vice moderator of the WCC central committee, recalled his personal encounters with Anastasios as well as the global regard for the ecumenical giant.

“When Archbishop Anastasios first entered the broader ecumenical stage, he was already a mentor to many, and I was privileged to be among them,” said Aykazian. "Archbishop Anastasios was, above all, a man of holiness."

At the same time, Aykazian noted, Anastasios earned the admiration of his fellow clergy across the ecumenical world, and—most importantly—the deep and abiding love of his people.

“Few leaders manage to hold these three forms of trust together: political respect, ecclesial admiration, and popular affection,” said Aykazian. “Archbishop Anastasios did so because his leadership was never self-referential; it was always anchored in service.”