Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania on the 30th anniversary of his enthronement, patriarchia reports.

“From youth, laboring diligently in the Lord’s Vineyard, you grew from strength to strength (Ps. 83:8) and by personal example testified to your contemporaries about the joy that is bestowed on the followers of the Savior. Wherever you happened to serve by the Providence of God — in Greece, in East Africa, in Albania — you attracted many people to Christ and were truly a good shepherd for them.

With the assistance of the Holy Spirit, as well as your selfless labors, the Albanian Orthodox Church, which survived decades of severe persecution, was raised from the ruins. The Lord also vouchsafed me to be one of the witnesses of her spiritual rebirth during meetings with Your Beatitude in Tirana and joint service in the majestic Resurrection Cathedral, which became a symbol of the flowering of Orthodoxy in Albanian land.

On this festive day, I wish you good health and help from above in your further primatial service, and to your God-loving flock – peace and joy in the Lord,” the congratulatory message of the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church says.

In June of this year, the 30th anniversary of the election of the Primate was celebrated in the Albanian Church.