Biographical Sketch
Archbishop Anastasios (Yannoulatos) of Tirana, Durres and All Albania
He was born November 4, 1929, in Piraeus, Greece. Professor of History of Religions (1972-92) and Dean of the Theological Faculty of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (1983-86). B.D. and Th.D. (with highest honours) and today is Professor Emeritus of the same University. He has been awarded Th.D. h.c. DD. h.c. PhD h.c. from 19 universities, faculties or departments (from Greece, U.S.A. Cyprus, Romania, Georgia, Albania, Italy), Corresponding Member (1993-2005), and Honourary Member (since 2006) of the Academy of Athens.
Postgraduate Studies: History of Religions and Ethnology, at Universities of Hamburg and Marburg, Germany (under the “Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung” Scholarship). Studied also world religions by travelling in countries where they flourish. Languages: (Besides Modern and Ancient Greek), English, French, German and a working knowledge of Latin, Italian, Spanish, and Albanian.
He played a pioneering role in rekindling the Orthodox interest in foreign mission (from 1958). He was ordained Deacon (1960); Priest-Archimandrite (1964), Bishop of Androussa (1972) for the position of the General Director of the Apostolike Diakonia of the Church of Greece (1972-92); Locum Tenens (Acting Archbishop) of the Holy Metropolis of Irinoupolis in East Africa (1981-1990); Metropolitan of Androussa and Patriarchal Exarch in Albania (1991-1992). Archbishop of Tirana, and All Albania (June, 1992 onward).
He served as General Secretary of the Executive Committee for Foreign Mission of Syndesmos, Pan-Orthodox Youth Organization (1958–1961), Vice President of Syndesmos (1964 – 1977); and as founder and president of the Inter-Orthodox Missionary Center Porefthentes (from 1961). He was a member of the International Committee for Missionary Studies of the WCC (1963–1969), the Secretary for Missionary Research and Relations with the Orthodox Churches in the WCC (Geneva 1969–1971). He organized and directed the Center for Missionary Studies at the University of Athens (1971–1974) and the Inter-Orthodox Center of Athens for the Church of Greece (1971–1974). As General Director of the Apostolike Diakonia, he promoted various theological, educational and publishing programs; particularly, he developed the sector of foreign missions. In East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) he undertook the organization and development of the Orthodox missions. He has been recognized as “Great Benefactor of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa”.
As Archbishop of Albania (1992 to the present), under tremendously difficult circumstances, he has restored and further developed the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, which had been fully dissolved for 23 years. Together with the work of revitalizing the Orthodox Church, innovative programs were also developed in the areas of health, social welfare, education, agricultural developments, culture and ecology. At the same time, he struggled to assist in relieving the many tensions in the Balkans.
He has been elected to distinguished positions of leadership in international organizations: Moderator of the Committee of World Mission and Evangelism, (1984–1991), and of the Conference on World Mission and Evangelism in San Antonio, Texas (1989); member of the European Council of Religious Leaders (2003-2010); Vice President of the Conference of European Churches (2003-2009); President of the World Council of Church (2006-2013); Honorary President of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (2006 onward).
Author of 24 books (researches in African religions, essays in Theology and History of Missions, sermons etc) including Islam, a general survey (16 editions), History of Living Religions, significant chapters, Facing the World, Mission In Christ’s way, To the End of the Earth, Coexistence, In Albania Cross and Resurrection. Published more than 200 essays and articles of Theological and pastoral themes. His studies and articles have been translated into 17 foreign languages.
He has been honoured with 27 medals and awards of many Orthodox Churches and various countries, including the Great Cross of the Order of Honour of the Greek Republic (1997); the Athenagoras Human Rights Award (New York, 2001); the Award for “distinguished activities for the unity of the Orthodox nations” (Moscow, 2005); the Medal of Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu (2010). Scholar in the field of History of Religions and inter-religious dialog. His significant contribution to Christian Mission, Theology, and the peaceful coexistence of people and religious communities has been internationaly recognized.
