Died at age 95 years of years the missionary of nations, Archbishop of Tirana, Anarchy of Durres and all of Albania, who in recent days was hospitalized in "Evangelism".
Anastasios was an emblematic personality, who dedicated his life to the ministry of the Orthodox Church, as well as the reconciliation and peaceful coexistence of the peoples of the area. Its loss leaves an incomplete gap.
Archbishop's hospitalization in Athens started at 3 January, After airline from Tirana.
He had subsequently undergone surgery to treat hemorrhagic incident and had returned to ICU, where he was hospitalized. In the last few hours his state of health had presented a new deterioration.
Had initially been admitted to a hospital in the Albanian capital in 30 December because of a virus that was suffering.
The world -famous Anastasios Giannoulatos, Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and all Albania Anastasios was the enlightened hierarch, The distinguished university teacher, proposed for Nobel Peace during the Kosovo War, that regenerated the Albanian Orthodox Church and had a significant missionary, social and writing work.
Born in Piraeus on November 4 1929. His mother was from Preveza, his father from Lefkada, his grandfather from Kefalonia. He grew up in Preveza and later in Piraeus.
Stations in his life: the 1952, completes the Theological School of the University of Athens; the 1960, ordained deacon; four years later a senior-archimandrite; the 1965-1969, Studying Religion, Missionary and ethnology at the universities of Hamburg and Marbourg; 1972, elected Professor of the History of Religions at the University of Athens; 1981-1990, As the Metropolitan of the Metropolitan (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda) develops a wide -ranging missionary and social work; the 1991 becomes a peer professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; 1992, elected Archbishop of Albania; and, the 2005, becomes an honorary member of the Academy of Athens.
Theologian, author, Former University Professor and High Priest. One of the Presidents of the Central Committee of the World Church Council and Honorary President of the World Religious Conference on Peace. He was Bishop of Androussis and General Manager of the Apostolic Ministry of Greece.
It was 24 June of 1992 When the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected Bishop Anastasios Giannoulatos as Archbishop of the Albanian Church of Albania, and the Church of Albania again acquired a head after years.
Under the slogan of "Christ Risen", The Archbishop arrives in Albania from the 1991 as a patriarchal exarch in order to ascertain the situation in which the Orthodox Church was in the country then. Its organization started from zero basis. Its territory was mostly hostile, As there was great suspicion because of its Greek origin and no financial resources secure. Nevertheless, Archbishop Anastasios worked hard all these years and gave hope -Hopeman and his motto "Christ Risen"- and help to everyone in Albania, In the years that the church rudder kept. Proceeded to reconstitute and reconstitute Albania's autocephalous Church, By shaping the initially new Charter Charter 2006. Set, also, Church's relations with the state with an official agreement, which became the law of the state the 2009. Alongside, began the struggles of the ecclesiastical property that the Hoxha Atheist state had committed.
Albania acquired schools, universities, temple, Workplaces and Production Projects for Church Services, boarding house, spiritual centers, Love and hosting places for orphans and older people, Theological Academy for the Education of its Executives, While the Archdiocese opened its arms not only for the Christians for whom it became a reference point, but also for all those who had no discrimination needs.
The missionary of the nations was a non -commissioned member of the Akadimia of Athens from the 1993 to 2005 and since then an honorary member of.
Had been awarded an honorary doctorate of theology: of the Theological School of the Holy Cross, USA (1989), of the Department of Theology of the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1995) and the s). Vladimir’s Theological Seminary (2003) and the University of Craiova (2006). Yet, He was an honorary member of the Theological Academy of Moscow (1998) and partner of the Orthodox Academy of Crete (2001). Received a diploma. Dimitriou Staniloae (the higher theological distinction) of the University of Bucharest (2003). Yet, was proclaimed Honorary Doctor of Philosophy: of the Department of History and Archaeology of the School of Philosophy of the University of Ioannina (1996), of the Agricultural University of Athens (1996), of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration of the School of Nomals, Economic and Political Sciences of the University of Athens and all departments of the School of Philosophy of the University of Athens (1998), of the Department of International and European Studies of the University of Piraeus (2001), of the Department of Philology of the University of Crete (2002), of the departments of physics, Medical, Primary Education and Civil Engineering of the University of Patras (2004), of the University of Boston (2004), of the Departments of Medicine and Agriculture of the University of Thessaly. also, received the golden medal (the maximum distinction) of the above university (2005). End, He was an honorary doctorate in the Department of History of the Ionian University (2007), of the University of Koritsa (2008), of the Department of History and Ethnology as well as that of the language, Philology and Culture of the Paraskevi Peoples of the Democritus University of Thrace (2009).
in addition to, It was decorated with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Honor of the Hellenic Republic by Constantine Stefanopoulos, the Great Cross of the Romanian Republic, the cross of the Apostle Andrew of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Orthodox Crusaders of the Holy Sepulcher of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, The Holy Cross of the Apostle and Evangelist Mark I of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, the cross of Isapostolos Vladimir I of the Patriarchate of Russia, The Grand Cross of the Apostle Paul of the Church of Greece, the Cross of Saints Cyril and Methodius of the Orthodox Church of Czechoslovakia, the cross of St. Catherine of the Holy Monastery of Sinai, the golden cross after Daphne of the Greek Red Cross, The Silver Medal of the Academy of Athens and the Golden Key of Athens, of Thessaloniki and Lamia, including.
Always with humility, had received many awards. Between them, The Giuseppe Sciacca Award "For Missionary Action and Social Solidarity", at a special ceremony which took place 2015 In Rome.
In the formal etiology of his award, The Giuseppe Sciacca Foundation had underlined: "He is a theologian and a historian of religions, who has published a number of important scientific studies translated into various languages. Archbishop Anastasios was very dynamically devoted to missionary action in Africa. Its action is due to building 145 new churches and the maintenance of others 70. Made, also, and great social works: schools, Hospitals and Vocational Training Centers, targeting not only in interventions that are treating, but also to others, capable of liberating people from poverty, through specific initiatives and direct management by the various populations ».
When he was awarded the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki the honor of the "golden Aristotle", Under the prolonged applause of the audience who announced 'worthy', Archbishop Anastasios had emphasized that "world peace is not a utopia, But direct priority to all those who are in pain and struggling for a better world. ". Had noted that the opposite of peace is not war but self -centeredness, the antidote whose only love is.
"Only the power of love can beat love for power" had underlined, While he had talked about a love that nests in people's hearts without knowing borders, without knowing prejudices. In his speech, in fact, had been reported to the evangelist John, to Apostle Paul, But also to Albert Einstein who each commemorated the power of love in his own way.
in addition to, had pointed out that the main component of peaceful coexistence is the cultivation of a healthy religious consciousness, which opens every form of violence and inspires respect for religious freedom. "Violence in the name of religion rapes the essence of religion", had said characteristically. And had continued with the statement that peace is linked to justice, which in our time is synonymous with growth. 'Poverty is the worst type of violence'.
In his reference to the importance of interfaith dialogue, He had cited the example of Albania where five different religious communities coexist. As he had made known, In the country there is now an Interfaith Council, While different religions join forces to strengthen the weak. I emphatically noted that the aim is not to be religious tolerance but harmonious coexistence.
At 14 February 2020, In the historic Cathedral of Aachen of Germany, He had been honored with the International Award "Claus Hemerle" (who was Bishop Aachen and Professor of Philosophy of Religions), Honorary distinction awarded every two years by the Roman Catholic Movement of Focoliar to international personalities who have contributed to the approach and understanding of communities with different cultural and religious traditions.
'The antidote to self -centeredness, that torpedoed the peaceful coexistence, is the empowerment of love within people's hearts, within society. Of a multidimensional love, not limited by borders, prejudice or other discrimination. In this direction, healthy religious consciousness is called upon to contribute. ", little of the words of.
Developed a rich book work work, 240 treatments and studies.
Between these: M'Ban'noa's spirits and the context of worship of. Religious Investigation of Sides of African Religion (1970), The Lord of the Lambiness. O God in spite of Mount Kenya tribal (1971, 1981), Various Christian Approaches to the Other Religions: A Historical Outline (1971), The Orthodox of Orthodoxy in Japan (1971). African ritual (1972, 1981), Islam. Religion (1975), Pouhan'a – O creator (1975), Positions of Christians over other religions (1975), Aspects of indumorism – Buddling (1985), Worldwide and Orthodoxy (2000, 2005), Traces of the search for the fir: Collection of religious studies (2004, 2006), Mission to the traces of Christ. Theological studies and speeches (2007), God was brought to fleshly… (2006). It was also released in Albanian: God appeared in flesh… (2006), Another view. Printed text and narrative on digital disk (CD) – (2006), Now always fluttering light… (2007), also released in Albanian: All were filled with light… (2007), Monks and mission during the 4th and 9th centuries (2008), To the end of the land (2009), In Africa (2010), In Albania: Cross and resurrection (2011), Coexistence: Peace, nature, poverty, terrorism, values. Religion (2016).
In addition, had posted catechetical aids, He had published Greek and English texts and had directed the magazine "Walks" (1960-70) And the "Always the Nations" magazine (1981-92).