The Archbishop of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, Anastas Janullatos, has passed away.
He closed his eyes forever today at the age of 95 at the Evangelismos Hospital in Athens, where he had been hospitalized for more than 20 days.
Anastas Janullatos was initially hospitalized in a hospital in Tirana on December 30 after a serious infection and on January 3 the Archbishop was transferred to Athens.
About a week ago, he underwent surgery to stop the bleeding. During this time and after the surgery, the Archbishop was intubated, where doctors attempted to remove him from the intubation, but the efforts were unsuccessful.
In these circumstances, the white shirts decided that two days ago the Archbishop would undergo a tracheostomy, which is a necessary procedure in cases of prolonged intubation over 15-20 days. Through this surgical procedure, an opening is made in the trachea or throat to create breathing.
But yesterday morning his condition deteriorated significantly after suffering multiple organ failure, which he could not survive and died.
Anastas Janullatos was appointed in 1991 by the Ecumenical Patriarch Exarch, Patriarchal in Albania. He made his first visit to our country on July 16, 1991.
He was enthroned as the head of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church on August 2, 1992, a full 33 years ago at the age of 63, resisting the 1994 referendum where the then government introduced an article into the draft law that prohibited religious leaders with foreign citizenship from exercising religious duties. On November 6, the referendum was defeated by popular vote.
The Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church has also reacted to the passing of Anastasios Janullatos, posting on social media:
“May the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, ANASTASI, rest in peace.
The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, with deep sorrow, announces the repose of the soul of the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, His Beatitude, Anastasios. The Archbishop passed away today, January 25, 2025, at 08:30 in the morning, at the age of 95, at the “Evangelismos” Hospital in Athens, as a result of the insufficient functioning of many organs. Previously, he had been treated for several days at the “Hygeia” Hospital in Tirana.
We invite the Orthodox believers of the Church of Albania to pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased Chief Shepherd.
His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios, was the rebuilder and reviver of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, which he completely rebuilt from the ruins after the fall of the atheist regime. With his divine vision and tireless work, he rebuilt church life from the foundations, built hundreds of churches, established educational and charitable institutions, and formed a new generation of clergy, offering an uninterrupted and sacrificial service for more than 33 years.
Eternal be his memory!”
