Archbishop Anastasios’ health continues to be stable and with mild symptoms and he has received many wishes for a quick recovery.
Archbishop Anastasios’ health in the past four days continues to be stable and with mild symptoms. He is under the supervision and control of a dedicated staff of doctors.
In his greeting after being hospitalized in the Evangelismos Hospital in Greece, His Beatitude Anastasios emphasized that our journey in Albania began with the exclamation “God is with us!” and it followed with the response in chorus “and we are with Him”, which supported our assurance that “God will not abandon us”. Then he quoted a verse from last Sunday’s Gospel reading, which defines the appropriate attitude towards this pandemic: “Do not be afraid, just believe” (Lk. 8:50).
Archbishop Anastasios expressed his gratitude to all the distinguished medical doctors and healthcare workers and to the multitude of people who once again expressed their love through their spontaneous and fervent prayer. During his stay in the hospital he has received lots of phone calls and messages from the Orthodox faithful who expect to see the Archbishop as soon as possible in his church duties. Various media have shown great interest in this case, some of which have broadcasted a correct and heartfelt coverage.
Also, His Beatitude has received many wishes for a quick recovery from well-known people in our country, church primates and hierarchs of the Orthodox Churches from abroad. Below is the message from the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: “Let our prayers accompany you during your flight and your treatment in the hospital which we wish to be short and successful. We love you and the Church needs you. We hope that you will still continue your creative and helpful contribution towards Christianity and humanity for the grace of God.
The Archbishop received wishes for a quick recovery and immediate return to his church duties from the Patriarch of Alexandria, His Beatitude Theodore; the Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Theophilus; the Patriarch of Moscow, His Beatitude Cyril; the Archbishop of Cyprus, His Beatitude Chrysostom; and the Archbishop of Greece, His Beatitude Jeronim.
Even the President of the Republic of Albania, His Excellency Mr. Ilir Meta joined the prayers of the faithful for good health and quick recovery of Archbishop Anastasios as well as of Archbishop George Frendo, who are both infected with COVID-19. The President in his word emphasized that the Albanian nation is proud of the excellent inter-religious harmony. Wishes for a quick recovery were also conveyed by Mr. Gramoz Ruçi, the Head of the Albanian Assembly; and Mr. Erion Veliaj, the Mayor of Tirana.
In addition, the President of the Muslim Community, His Grace Bujar Spahiu joined the faithful’s prayers and said: “I pray God to give health to the honored clergy of the Orthodox and Catholic Church!” Warm and heartfelt messages and wishes were also sent by the Bektashi Community Leader, His Grace Baba Mondi; by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Shkodra, His Excellency Mons. Angelo Masafra; by the Interfaith Council of Albania, etc.
The President of the Hellenic Republic, Her Excellency Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou called Archbishop Anastasios and wished him a quick recovery and return to his important church duties. The Archbishop also received wishes from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mr. Dendias, the mayor of Syriza, Mr. Tsipras etj.
The Ambassador of Albania in Athens, Mrs. Luela Hajdaraga visited His Beatitude Anastasios at the hospital and expressed her joy for meeting him and for seeing that he was fine. She said that she would send this message to all Albanians who are in Greece and to those in Albania. “We thank God and we have you in our prayers”, she said among other things. The Archbishop thanked the ambassador for her interest and claimed that with God’s help all mankind would manage to become victorious over this pandemic.
