Short Biography of His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Elbasan
His Eminence, Metropolitan of Elbasan, Shpati, and Librazhd, Anthony (secular name Artan Merdani), was born on December 7, 1969, in Tirana, where he completed his primary and secondary education.
From 1996 to 1999, he studied at the “Resurrection of Christ” Theological Academy of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania in Saint Vlash, Durrës. He continued his theological studies at the Faculty of Theology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2002-2006), where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Theology. Additionally, he completed a two-year postgraduate program specializing in “Social Psychology and Communication” at the Higher Education Institution “ISSAT”, in collaboration with the University “UBIS” in Geneva, where he received a Master of Science (MSc) degree.
In 2000, he was tonsured a monk and ordained a deacon by His Eminence, Metropolitan of Korça, Joani. On November 21, 2002, he was ordained a priest by His Beatitude, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania, Anastasios, and four years later, on November 21, 2006, he was consecrated Titular Bishop of Kruja.
He served as Assistant to the Archbishop and Protosingelos of the Archdiocese of Tirana (2006-2016). Following the Synodal decision for the establishment of the Metropolis of Elbasan, he was elected as its first Metropolitan. His enthronement took place on April 17, 2016, at the Church of Saint Nicholas in Elbasan.
He has served as a member of the Administrative Board of the Educational Institution “Spirit of Love”, the Executive Council of the “Orthodox Annunciation Clinic”, and the Executive Committee of the Interfaith Council of Albania. He was also a professor at the Theological Academy in Saint Vlash, Durrës (2006-2012).
He has participated in numerous conferences, meetings, and events as a representative of the Orthodox Church of Albania. Apart from his native Albanian, he speaks Greek, English, and Italian.