Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos passes away at 95

Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos, leader of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, passed away on January 25 at the age of 95. The Archbishop had been hospitalized at Athens’ Evangelismos Hospital since January 3 due to a gastric hemorrhage, which led to multi-organ failure. Following a deterioration in his health, he was transferred from a private hospital in Tirana to Athens via helicopter. His funeral will take place on January 30 in Tirana, with five days of national mourning declared in his honor.

The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania has convened an extraordinary meeting and appointed Metropolitan Joani of Korça as Locum Tenens to oversee the Archbishop’s responsibilities until a successor is chosen.

Why is this important: Anastasios Janullatos was a towering figure for the Albanian Orthodox community and played an important role in Albania’s post-communist history. His leadership not only revived the Orthodox Church in Albania, which had been decimated during the communist era, but also fostered interfaith harmony and regional cooperation. Widely respected for his theological scholarship, global recognition, and advocacy for peace, his passing marks the end of an era for Albanian Orthodoxy and the country’s religious landscape.

A life of service: Born on November 4, 1929, in Piraeus, Greece, Janullatos was an esteemed theologian, writer, and professor emeritus at the University of Athens. In 1992, at age 63, he became Archbishop of Albania’s Orthodox Church which had just emerged from decades of communist rule and imposed atheism completely decimated. Despite some controversy over his Greek origin, the Archbishop dedicated himself to rebuilding the Orthodox Church from the ruins left by communist repression. His achievements include the reconstruction or restoration of over 350 churches, the establishment of theological schools, and the education of a new generation of clergy.

He also played a key role in easing tensions between Greece and Albania, promoting interfaith dialogue, and advancing religious tolerance. His leadership of the church earned him numerous honors, including over 27 medals and international recognition, such as a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000.

• Reorganized more than 400 parishes and trained 159 clergy members.
• Built the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Tirana, the third-largest Orthodox church in Europe.
• Authored 24 books and was fluent in 11 languages, including Albanian.
• Honored with “Doctor Honoris Causa” titles from over 50 global institutions.
• Advocated for refugees during the Kosovo War and contributed to peacebuilding in the Balkans.

Tributes pour in: Tributes have poured in from religious leaders across Albania. Archbishop Arjan Dodaj of the Catholic Church wrote, “Rest in peace, dear Archbishop Anastasios. May you rejoice in eternal life with our Lord Jesus Christ, the saints, and angels.” Baba Mondi, the Bektashi World Leader, expressed his admiration for Janullatos’ commitment to fostering interfaith coexistence.

Former Albanian President Sali Berisha, who once opposed Janullatos’ appointment, stated, “Today, we honor the life and legacy of a man who resurrected the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania from the ashes of communist repression.”

What’s next: On January 26, a memorial service will be held at Athens’ Metropolitan Cathedral, led by Greek Orthodox leaders. After the ceremony, Janullatos’ body will be returned to Albania for his final resting place. His passing leaves a significant void in Albania’s spiritual and cultural life, with discussions on his successor expected to follow soon.