Archbishop Anastasios, the 95-year-old head of the Albanian Orthodox Church, remains in critical condition after being airlifted to a hospital in Athens, Greece for treatment, Evangelismos Hospital confirmed on Sunday, January 5.
The Archbishop, who was initially admitted to a hospital in Tirana with a “seasonal virus” on Tuesday, December 31, was transferred to Greece on Friday evening due to complications.
According to the hospital’s medical report, “His Beatitude’s condition is assessed as critical by the attending physicians.” However, his condition was described as “stable despite his already complicated medical history” on Saturday, January 4.
It was later reported that he was also suffering from gastric bleeding.
Anastasios, who has led the Albanian Orthodox Church for over three decades, is credited with revitalising the Orthodox Church in predominantly Muslim Albania. His airlift to Athens was carried out on a C-27 Greek Air Force plane following a request from Greek emergency services.
In an expression of solidarity, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the hospital on Sunday, January 5, to receive an update on the Archbishop’s health.
