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Pope Francis' letter of condolence to Archbishop Anastasios: They congratulated him in Greek, he responded in Albanian

2025-01-30 19:20:41Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Pope Francis' letter of condolence to Archbishop Anastasios: They
Pope Francis

The funeral service of Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos, who passed away in Athens at the age of 95, was celebrated today at the Orthodox Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tirana.

The body of the Archbishop was buried and will rest in this very Church.

Present were personalities from all over the religious and political world, such as Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Patriarch of Alexandria Theodoros II, Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, archbishops from the Orthodox Church of Greece, the United States, and Cyprus, representatives from Mount Athos, from other religions, and even a delegation from the Vatican, headed by the Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, Archbishop Flavio Pace.

Pope's letter read during funeral

Today, Pope Francis wrote to the Metropolitan of Korça, His Grace Ioannis, who currently performs the necessary functions to advance the life of the Albanian Orthodox Church, until its Synod convenes, which, 40 days after the death of Archbishop Anastasios, will elect a new head. To him, the Synod, the clergy and all the Orthodox faithful, the Holy Father Francis expressed his condolences for the loss of the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and all of Albania, assuring him of his prayers that God, our merciful Father, may reward him for his work and his labors.

"The religion of the Albanian Orthodox community - writes Pope Francis, in the message read during the funeral by Bishop Flavio Pace - was certainly incarnated in the life of our beloved brother, whose zealous pastoral service helped people rediscover its richness and beauty, after years of state-imposed atheism and persecution. For this reason, I retain beautiful memories of my meeting with His Beatitude, on the occasion of my first apostolic journey outside Italy, and the fraternal embrace and the words exchanged on that occasion are dear to me.

Throughout his long life and his ministry as a priest and bishop - the Holy Father continues - he always showed a deep commitment to the Gospel, serving and proclaiming the Lord in different geographical and cultural contexts, in Greece, Africa and Albania. He did this, following the example of Saint Paul the Apostle, who was so devoted to Christ that he could say: "I have become all things to all people, so that by all means I might save some" (1 Cor 9:22).

Taking on the responsibility of leading the Albanian Orthodox Church, he wanted to penetrate the depths of the hearts of those entrusted to him, especially in their tradition and identity, without ever losing communion with the other Orthodox Churches. At the same time, he committed himself with good will to dialogue and promoted peaceful coexistence with other Churches and religions.

When he arrived in Albania – the Holy Father's message states – several priests welcomed him with Easter greetings in Greek “Christos Anesti!” He responded in Albanian, expressing his ardent desire to live with the people and to bear witness to the love of God, which overcomes all darkness and oppression, among those who had suffered greatly.

"Now that his earthly life has come to an end," the Pope concluded the letter, dated January 27, "I pray that, with the mercy of God, the Almighty Father, His Beatitude may forever praise the Holy Trinity, together with all the witnesses of the faith and the shepherds who have proclaimed the word of salvation to peoples, everywhere and at all times."

 


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