Warsaw, October 6, 2022
Photo: orthodox.pl
The primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church is currently in the midst of a 5-day visit to the Polish Orthodox Church.
His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana arrived in Warsaw on Tuesday evening, accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan John of Korçë and Archdeacon Spyridon.
Yesterday morning, the Albanian delegation visited the Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene in Warsaw, where they were greeted by His Beatitude Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and other hierarchs, reports the Polish Church.
A doxology was served in the cathedral, including prayers for the Polish and Albanian Churches and for world peace, especially in war-torn Ukraine.
In his welcoming speech, Met. Sawa noted that the Albanian primate will receive the title of doctor honoris causa from the Christian Theological Academy in Warsaw as recognition for his missionary labors in Africa and Albania. He also presented Abp. Anastasios with an icon of St. Mary Magdalene, the patroness of the Warsaw cathedral.
In response, Abp. Anastasios recalled his many years of acquaintance with Met. Sawa and the revival of the Albanian Church over the past three decades. He also gave the Polish primate an icon of the Mother of God.
Photo: orthodox.pl
After the doxology, the Archbishop met with Polish clergy at the Orthodox Cultural Center.
Today at noon, Abp. Anastasios received an honorary doctorate from the Christian Theological Academy, based on the recommendation of Met. Sawa, and delivered an address: “The Mission and Responsibility of the Church is to Connect Humanity With the True God of Love.”
In the coming days, Abp. Anastasios and his delegation will visit the capital’s Orthodox parishes.
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