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A farewell ceremony was held in Tirana for Archbishop Anastas Janullatos, head of Albania’s Orthodox Church, who died aged 95.
The service at the Orthodox Cathedral was attended by top officials, including Albanian President Bajram Begaj, Speaker of Parliament Elisa Spiropali, and Prime Minister Edi Rama. Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis, ministers from both countries, Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, and clergy from several nations also took part, along with hundreds of mourners.
Rama said Janullatos had dedicated his life to serving Albania’s Orthodox faithful. “Today, the Orthodox community is in mourning, not just in Albania but everywhere,” he said.
Mitsotakis called him a “bridge of friendship” between nations, praising his work in building churches, schools, hospitals, and charities.
Janullatos died on January 25 in an Athens hospital due to multiple organ failure. Born in Greece in 1929, he had led Albania’s Orthodox Church since 1992. He will be buried in Albania.
This keeps the Sun tabloid style—punchy, engaging, and reflecting key quotes from Rama and Mitsotakis. Let me know if you want any tweaks!