The first formal visit of the Archbishop of Tirana and all Albania, His Beatitude Anastasios leading a delegation from the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania to the sister church of Cyprus, was a significant event.
 
    Although in reality this was not the first contact, this visit especially, would serve to begin development and support of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania.
    Members of the delegation were the Metropolitan of Korca, His Grace John, Metropolitan of Gjirokaster, His Grace Dimitrios, Protopresbyter John Trebiscka, Archdeacon Asti Bakallbashi and Mr. Orfea Beci. Their visit had several memorable moments. From the first moment, a noteworthy delegation was waiting for the Archbishop at Larnacas Airport. The Archbishop of Cyprus, his Beatitude, Chrisostomos II and eight other episcopates who are members of the Holy Synod of the church of Cyprus, all were waiting to welcome the delegation from Albania.
    With profound respect they welcomed Archbishop Anastasios who had been their professor at the Theological Department of Athens University. Also as representatives of the state government, was the Minister of Justice and of Public Order.
 
    In his welcome speech, the Archbishop of Cyprus emphasized the love, respect and especially the blessing the church of Cyprus has received from this visit. He talked about the progress the church of Cyprus has made, and in particular, the extension of the Holy Synod through the addition of the new Metropolis.
    He also mentioned the problem of the Island itself, the unfair division of the northern part of the Island. As a result of this division, the Orthodox Church has been denied its basic rights on the Island. Many of the churches and monasteries in the north are in total disrepair. Important works of medieval art were totally destroyed, stolen or trafficked. The faithful are not allowed to visit their churches and monasteries. The monuments of culture are in dire condition and are continue to be destroyed. Also the tomb of Saint Varnava has been abandoned and neglected. He had been a student of the Apostle Paul and also a deliverer of Christianity to Cyprus and defenders of the Island.
    Likewise, the Apostle Andrew Monastery and the tomb and church of St. Epiphanos, have suffered terribly from decay and neglect.
 
    Archbishop Anastasios took the opportunity to remind everyone that Albania suffered similar circumstances for 23 years during the atheistic regime. The oppression was more violent and in a totalitarian way, not only for the churches but for individual orthodox families, as well.
    However the separation of the island has not always been the case in Cyprus. Before the division, the faithful people of Cyprus co-existed in religious harmony with the Muslim community of the Turkish minority on the Island. The same kind of religious tolerance exists in Albania today.
 
    The presence of the journalists at the airport showed respect and special interest towards the Archbishop and the successes he has achieved in the restoration of our church.
    The welcoming ceremony was held in the Cathedral of St. John the Theologian, which is a genuine cultural and Christian monument in Levkosia. Hundreds of faithful and youths from the schools were everywhere to extend their greetings of welcome. After the Doxology, the two primates of the church exchanged greetings. Archbishop Anastasios spoke of the link between Cyprus and territories of Albania today; for which most had no previous knowledge. Another link between the countries was that of the great and highly regarded iconographer Onufri, who was from Cyprus.
 
    On Thursday afternoon the Archbishop and his delegation had a memorial service in the Tombs of the Prisoners (they were so named because the English colonies buried the bodies of the executed youths who had fought for the liberty of the island, and were never returned to their families for a proper burial). The delegation also visited the tombs of the martyrs in Levkosia.
  
    The following day the Archbishop had a brotherly discussion with the President of Cyprus, Dimitrios Hristofias. Archbishop Anastasios talked about the progress and the challenges faced by our church but also about the efforts of Albania and its government toward the inclusion of Albania into the European Union. President Hristofias informed the Archbishop regarding the discussions the two communities of the Island have had regarding the re-unification of the state of Cyprus. President Hristofias was also interested in further cooperation and dialogues with our country. They exchanged presents and Archbishop Anastasios wished the people of Cyprus maturity, patience, power and a fruitful future for their country.
 
      Hierarchical Liturgy
    The common liturgy of the two primates, Archbishop Anastasios and Chrisostomos II, with the metropolitans of the two sister churches was most impressive. It took place on Sunday on October 5th in the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, in Levkosia which is the largest community in the capital. On the first Sunday of October, the Orthodox Church of Cyprus celebrates the memory of all the saints who gave their lives for the church of Cyprus. At the conclusion of the liturgy, the two primates spoke to the congregants. Archbishop Chrysostomos conveyed the unanimous decision of the Holy Synod of the church of Cyprus to grant Archbishop Anastasios the honor of the Golden Medallionof Apostle Varnava which was the biggest honour ever granted by the church of Cyprus. Archbishop Anastasios gave to the Archbishop of Cyprus a reliquiae of the venerable bones of St. Kosmas of Etholia; hoping to illustrate the spirit of missions and zeal of dedication.
 
    Later Archbishop Anastasios conducted a memorial service in the memory of Archbishop Cyprianos and of the other clergy who were martyred during the Turkish war in 1821 as revenge for their revolution and liberation. At the memorial symbolizing this event, the Albanian delegation placed a “crown” in the name of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania.
 
    The hierarchical liturgy was televised by national public television RIK (and its satellite program), by Mega channel and by LOGOS, the radio station of the Church.
 
    At the Archiepiscopate of Cyprus, representatives of the government, diplomats and other politicians attended an official luncheon together, hosted by Archbishop Chrisostomos II. During his stay in Cyprus, Archbishop Anastasios visited the Metropolis of Lemesos, Pafos, Kostandia, Amohostos, Larnakas and the Monastery of Qiku (one of the most important monasteries in the orthodox world) and the monasteries of Maheras, St. Neofitus and St. Heraklitos.
 
    Touring Cyprus
    There was a beautiful atmosphere that surrounded Archbishop Anastasios produced by hundreds of faithful and young people who had come to get their blessings, even though it was a school day. Archbishop Anastasios shared delightful memories with his former students at the University of Athens. They showed great interest in the progress of our church, and demonstrated much love and affection for the Archbishop. Many anonymous faithful of Cyprus as well as some church communities have contributed to our church during the past several years. The Archbishop of Cyprus declared to the media he will be one of the main supporters for the Albanian orthodox clergy.
 
    The Monastery of Qiku accorded Archbishop Anastasios the Golden Medallion of the Almighty Theotokos.
 
    Archbishop Anastasios celebrated another memorial service at the tomb of Archbishop Makarios III, who had contributed to the stabilization of the independent country of Cyprus. He also played an important role in the development of the church.
 
    In addition, Archbishop Anastasios, as assistant director of the Conference of European Churches took part in the conference which took place in Paralimni, Cyprus. His Beatitude was awarded the prize ‘Doctor of Honour’ from the Dean of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Cyprus. The Dean earnestly wanted the ceremony be held during the time of his Beatitude’s stay, but it was unfortunately impossible, so the ceremony was postponed for another time.
 
    Many people from public life visited the Archbishop to discuss the issues of the Orthodox Church, the social problems and the new dimensions for missions. In such spheres Archbishop Anastasios is a spiritual and knowledgeable person with a special maturity and unique perspective. Among the people who met and talked to the Archbishop, were Albanians who are temporarily working on the Island and students attending the universities in Cyprus.
 
    Upon leaving the Island, Archbishop Anastasios was appropriately accompanied to the airport of Larnakas. Everybody expressed their desire for him to return very soon. Archbishop Anastasios, in turn, invited his Beatitude Chrisostomos II to visit the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania.
 
 
Translated by Juliana Kodheli
Edited by Melany Linderman
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