With the passing of Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania (1929-2025), the Lausanne-Orthodox Initiative (LOI) has lost a cherished friend. It is with profound sadness that we received the news of Archbishop Anastasios’s passing. Tributes are coming from across the globe, reflecting the widespread admiration and respect he garnered throughout his life.
Archbishop Anastasios dedicated his life to serving the church in various countries, including Greece, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia. In 1992, he was elected Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania, following years of Communist persecution of the Albanian church. His ministry in Albania was marked by the physical rebuilding of churches and monasteries, as well as the spiritual revival of the Christian community.
For the Lausanne-Orthodox Initiative (LOI), however, we have lost a friend and a father in Christ. LOI was formed following the Lausanne gathering in Cape Town in 2010, and the core group looked for a place to hold the first LOI consultation, which took place in 2013 at the Monastery of St. Vlash in Albania, at the invitation and with the blessing of Archbishop Anastasios. Archbishop Anastasios was committed to ecumenism, and his leadership made it possible for a diverse gathering of Christian leaders be present at the consultation. Perhaps even more significant for us was the friendship that he offered which made a deep impression on many. This friendship extended another invitation, and our second consultation was held at the same venue. There are many that owe a debt of gratitude to him, but for us he gave us the realisation of our vision.