By Emerita Prof. Dr Dimitra Koukoura * Archbishop Anastasios was a radiant figure among Orthodox Hierarchs, endowed with rare gifts. During his university days, he inspired young people in search of the Absolute, through student camps and catechetical lessons at Saint Constantine’s Church in Omonoia square, Athens, many of whom later became distinguished figures in society. He enthused theology students at the University of Athens and attracted devoted collaborators to his mission. He brought love and hope to the African continent and rekindled the light of the Resurrection within the Church of Albania, which had been buried under the ruins of an unprecedented totalitarian oppression, rebuilding her in a truly remarkable manner. His presence, wherever he was active, invariably provoked a reaction—reflection, emotion, admiration, and acceptance. Occasionally, he also faced rejection, born of pettiness or the so-called "Athenian syndrome" towards Aristides the Just. His recognition within interfaith and inter-Christian circles is particularly noteworthy, where he became an undisputed religious leader and a globally respected Orthodox Hierarch. In his Rhetoric, Aristotle defines the means of persuasion in human communication as logos, ethos, and pathos: logos as rational argumentation, ethos as the speaker’s moral character, and pathos as the ability to understand human emotions and evoke corresponding sentiments in the audience to facilitate acceptance of the message. Archbishop Anastasios based his approach on these fundamental principles, imbued with deep Christian meaning. Logos was, first and foremost, the Divine Word, which took on human flesh and was revealed to humanity. Aristotle's understanding of logos follows: the content of faith is assimilated and engages in a creative dialogue with interlocutors and their respective frames of reference, conveying an authentic testimony that encourages reflection and, potentially, persuasion (N. Matsoukas). A notable example of this was his dialogue with President Berisha when he announced the name of the University College established by the Church in Tirana: "LOGOS." The President, reacting with “endemic” anti-Hellenic suspicion, objected: "No Greek names!" The Archbishop continued, explaining that the term carried a multifaceted meaning, profound historical depth, and inexhaustible timeless relevance. His explanation did not convince Berisha. Finally, he asked him: "You are a medical doctor, what is your specialty?" The President replied: "Cardiologist." His approach to interfaith dialogue was grounded on an unshakeable conviction: "Life in Christ dictates and demands respect for the freedom of every human person, who is the image of the ineffable glory of God. People's religious convictions are shaped by cultural heritage and other factors, but ultimately, they are a matter of God-given freedom. At the same time, however, all people have the right to know the truth of God for their ultimate choices." In his lectures on the History of Religions at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Athens, addressing large student audiences, he would stress: "It is unnecessary to compare our own mountain peaks with the ravines of others." "The ‘other’ is not necessarily an enemy or a threat. They can be a source of enrichment for us." Regarding the exploitation of religious traditions for economic and political ends in violent conflicts and the incitement of religious fanaticism, his outcry resonated powerfully: "Do not pour the oil of the sanctuary lamp into the fire of war. Religion is a divine gift, given to calm hearts, heal wounds, and bring individuals and nations closer together." Archbishop Anastasios was, by nature, gentle, polite, and mild-mannered. He excelled in his undergraduate studies in Athens. During the German occupation, he consciously immersed himself in a spiritual environment characterised by self-denial, integrity, missionary zeal, scriptural study, and liturgical experience. He formed lifelong friendships with his peers, many of whom later served the Church, including prominent clergy from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, former Archbishop of America Demetrios, the late Metropolitan Sotirios of Korea (later of Pisidia), and Father Eusebius Vitis in Sweden. He pursued postgraduate studies in Germany in the History of Religions, African Studies, and Missiology, alongside extensive field research in Asia, Central America, and Africa on the major world religions. His pioneering work on Islam in Greek (early 1970s) was particularly influential. These studies undoubtedly shaped his theological thought. However, his intellectual endeavours were permeated by a profound experience of the living Christ, who is "the Light of righteousness, the Light of hope, and, above all, the Light of love, in the dimensions revealed by Christ." He was convinced that "the mission and responsibility of the Church is to unite humanity with the true God of Love." This authentic testimony elevated him to the status of a religious leader of international renown. Indicatively, he was named Honorary President for Life of the World Interfaith Council. The members of the corresponding interfaith council, which he founded in multi-religious Albania with the aim of fostering harmonious and creative societal coexistence, expressed their appreciation during his hospitalisation in “Evangelismos”: "His contribution and inspiration regarding cooperation and understanding among religions serve as a lesson and a guide for all of us... He is an example of peace and unity for our society." Archbishop Anastasios' presence in the ecumenical movement—what he referred to as "an opening to new horizons"—began in 1963 in Mexico when, as a young deacon, he represented the Church of Greece at the plenary of the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism of the World Council of Churches. His active engagement concluded in 2013, when he stepped down as President of the WCC at the end of his term. Yet, his influence persisted through brief statements on crucial global issues, which, according to experts, garnered immediate attention from 20,000 online readers. Simultaneously, for three decades, he also participated in other inter-Christian initiatives as an Orthodox ecclesiastical leader. The word oikoumene, as is perhaps well-known, in the Greco-Roman era referred to the inhabited earth, which coincided with the boundaries of the Roman Empire. Later, its derivative was used to denote the Ecumenical Councils, corresponding to the then-expansion of Christianity, and was added to the title of the Patriarch of Constantinople, which was the seat of the Eastern Roman Empire. In international literature, the terms ecumenical movement, ecumenism, and ecumenist theoretically refer to the relevant academic research and, practically, to the participation in dialogues and joint efforts of the entire Christian world, with two main objectives: a) the pursuit of Christian unity, in accordance with Christ’s High Priestly Prayer, "that they may all be one" (John 17:21), and b) the unity of Christians in addressing the challenges of the globalised society, with its multitude of opportunities, as well as its even greater problems and serious threats. Many distinguished Orthodox Hierarchs and lay theologians, within the framework of theological dialogue, contributed to presenting Orthodox positions to interlocutors of other Christian traditions and successfully incorporated them into significant theological texts. In this doctrinal aspect of dialogue, prominent figures included the renowned Metropolitans of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Meliton of Chalcedon, Damaskenos of Switzerland, John of Pergamon, Gennadios of Sassima, as well as theologians from the Church of Greece, such as Professors Nikos Nisiotis, Amilkas Alevizatos, and others, alongside notable representatives from Antioch, Russia, Serbia, Romania, and Cyprus. Archbishop Anastasios’ theological contribution to this multilateral dialogue focused on the theological foundation of mission, leading his interlocutors to confess: "Until now, we did not know that the Orthodox engage in mission." His journey from youth was marked by Christ’s command: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19), which he followed both in academic theory and in missionary and pastoral practice. His consistency between theory and practice, along with his direct engagement with his flock and their needs, established him as a "leader by example." "Ecumenical environments are not idyllic or romantic; they are challenging," he often emphasised, based on his experience with high-responsibility positions within the global Christian organisation. This culminated in his role as Moderator of the World Commission on Mission and Evangelism and as one of the eight Presidents of the World Council of Churches (one from each continent, one Eastern Orthodox, and one from the Ancient Oriental Churches). This community of Christian churches includes official representatives from all Christian traditions, either as full members or in special cooperative relationships. At the plenary of a General Assembly, with approximately 2,000 delegates of various capacities, the entire Christian world is present: the 2.5 billion inhabitants of the earth—1.2 billion Roman Catholics, members of various Protestant traditions, the Anglican Communion, and approximately 290 million Orthodox Christians, including 220 million Eastern Orthodox and around 71 million Oriental Orthodox. While theological dialogue has facilitated a greater understanding of Christian traditions, it has not yet led to unity. As a result, the theological focus has shifted mainly to addressing critical issues concerning the survival and development of Christian communities worldwide. Apart from his participation in thematic committees, Archbishop Anastasios was a keynote speaker at plenary sessions of central committees and general assemblies, addressing a vast global audience, many of whom were either entirely unfamiliar with the Orthodox tradition or held preconceived notions about it, particularly on anthropological matters. The unity of the Orthodox and their active participation, marked by clear, simple, and non-condescending contributions, safeguarded the Orthodox witness. Through his longstanding and responsible presence, his respect for his interlocutors, his understanding of their particularities and needs, his personal engagements, and his peaceful proposals for crisis management, Archbishop Anastasios became fully accepted by the members of this global community. His words resonated deeply, and the light of his countenance, illuminated by his profound experience of Christ’s love, became perceptible to those seeking to live the Absolute. And they are many. In inter-Orthodox relations, he contributed with his peace-making character and wisdom to the conduct of the Holy and Great Council of Crete. Thereafter, he sought to uphold the conciliar system, advocating for the coordinating role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate with the aim of preserving the unity of the Orthodox Church and ensuring her credible witness in the world. Regarding the ecclesiastical situation in Ukraine, his public statements were clear. When consulted in 2018, he remarked: "You see a field strewn with laurels. I see a terrain full of mines. You are rushing..." Events have since confirmed his foresight. Though much is said today about religious diplomacy, Archbishop Anastasios proved to be an exemplary practitioner of relational diplomacy. However, he did not consciously follow Aristotle’s rhetorical strategies or diplomatic conventions. He was an apostle of Christ, walking in the footsteps of His disciples, conveying the message of the Resurrection—a message hidden within the Cross—with self-sacrificial dedication. Summing up his life’s journey, he once stated: "I believe that love is a mysterious, universal force. It manifests as God’s silent expression towards humanity and humanity’s response towards fellow human beings and towards the God of love. It is a continuous abiding in Christ. Love holds all rational beings together. Looking back on my life, I would say it was but a simple whisper of love. Towards the Eternal One, who is Love."[2]
The article was published originally in the newspaper "Kathimerini"(Athens, Greece) on 2 February 2025
Read the original article in Greek *Emerita Prof. Dr Dimitra Koukoura was the first woman to be elected professor in the Department of Theology of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where she taught (1993-2020) Homiletics, Orthodox Witness, and Communication. She is author of books and articles on the evolution of preaching from the first to the second millennium, the effects of rhetoric, Orthodox witness in ecumenical dialogues, the need for evangelization in former Christian societies, and the role of women in the Orthodox Church. She has been involved in the ecumenical movement since 1986, representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate under various capacities in various meetings, consultations, conferences, in 5 Assemblies (1991-2022); as a member of the Commission of Faith and Order, the Central Committee, and the Commission on Churches in Dialogue of the CEC . At the same time for a long time, she represented WCC at the Global Christian Forum. She is currently an academic advisor at "LOGOS" University College - Tirana of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania. ** The forty-day memorial service of the passing of Archbishop Anastasios was held on Saturday, 1 March 2025, at the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Tirana,Albania, watch it here WCC moderator expresses deep gratitude for life of visionary Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, (WCC news release, 30 January 2025) Sermon by Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm at the funeral of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana dies at 95 (WCC obituary, 25 January 2025) The funeral of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania (Video) "The interfaith action and ministry of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania" By Protopresbyter Fr. Dr Emmanuel Clapsis Photo gallery: Archbishop Anastasios
[1] Deriving from the Greek word: καρδιολόγος <καρδία» (cardia = heart) + «λόγος (logos [2] Community of Sant Egidio, Anastasius of Albania A man from many homelands, Preface by Andrea Riccardi, Morcelliana, 2022 |
