Synod of the Albanian Orthodox Church elects Locum Tenens
On January 25, 2025, the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania was held in Tirana. At its extraordinary meeting, the Synod expressed deep sorrow for the repose in the Lord of the late Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durres and All Albania, while adopting a number of important organizational decisions regarding future processes in the life of the Albanian Orthodox Church. This is reported by the official website of the AOC.
At the meeting of the Holy Synod of the Albanian Orthodox Church, the following was decided:
- Toelect His Eminence Metropolitan John of Korçën as Locum Tenens of the Archbishop’s Throne;
- To declare a five-day church mourning from January 25 to 29, 2025;
- To receive the body of the late Archbishop in front of the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tirana on Tuesday, January 28, at 16: 00, after which it will be placed for public worship inside the cathedral overnight until the next day, Wednesday, January 29, 2025;
- The funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 30, at 11:00, after the Divine Liturgy.
At the end of the meeting, the Holy Synod offered a memorial prayer and called on all believers to unite in prayer for the repose of the soul of our blessed father and shepherd, Archbishop Anastasios, who served as Archbishop for thirty-two years.
On January 25, 2025, the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios, ended his earthly journey in Athens. The First Hierarch died without regaining consciousness after more than 20 days in the hospital.
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