[ALBSA-Info] Words in Honor of Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana

[Albanian Orthodox Church]

Res Ipso Loquitor

On the Occasion of the Athenagoras Human Rights Award bestowed on
Archbishop Anastasios Yanulatos of Albania

Presented by the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate
              New York Hilton    17 February 2001

It is a privilege to join all this evening in offering words of
congratulation to His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios on the bestowal of
this truly meaningful award.

On behalf of many in the Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese, and of those even
abroad, I am obliged by truthfulness to say in all candor that I was
among those who shared an ambiguous opinion of events and intentions when
His Beatitude's assignment to guide the Church of Albania came about. Not
that we harbored any doubts of this princely man, whose testimony of
faith and tolerance had already spanned the globe and more than filled
his life's labors. It was more that we held cautions based on regional
occurences, some saw as heroic and others as ghastly,  which had
inevitably made relations between neighboring peoples less than cordial.
Nonetheless, we have a saying in Albanian: Rri shtembur dhe fol drejt. [
"Put your doubt aside and speak in truth."]

For indeed over this last decade of his astounding service to the
faithful of Albania, regardless of their religious background, truly the
character of a venerable Orthodox theologian, genuine missionary and
singular human being shode forth. It has not been easy for him, as I can
attest. Being first to visit the homeland of my ancestors in 1988 and
thereafter, I knew too well what a daunting task was to be faced all who
attempted renewals on any front. It brings to mind another saying that is
apropos of his struggle: Molles qe ka kokra gjajne me gur.[ A tree full
of apples is the target of stones." ]  Yet to his credit even the most
sceptic has become his friend, the most adversarial has become an
admirer. 

His Beatitude's embrace of many types of people, his heart-sponsored
diplomatic acumen, his eloquent outreach to friend and foe, his vast
culture and breadth of vision, speak of his generosity of spirit and
aristocracy of conscience.

In this world of ours, and perhaps particularly in the region in which he
serves, most folks are often bound by indigenous mythologies which often
seem to imbue even local theologies. The distant past is often seen as
current event. They are compelling histories which foster us to be
incredulous and disbelieving, even when a truly exemplary individual
appears on the scene tyo form a new legend, this time one of Divine Love
and human caring. Rare is the one who dares to come forth and offer his
life to liberate others from prior shackles by the shear simplicity of
loving example. Unusual is the one who would dream of holy things and
apply real energies with noble act and self-effacing instance. Archbishop
Anastasios is such a one. In truth, His Lord's redeeming life has been
his own enduring model.  On one hand, I am prompted to say that: "They
broke the mold when this man was fashioned."  But I would prefer to hope
that he is not an exception to the rule, but that his example is rather
one that is worthy of our emulation, inspiration and imitation.

In a phrase given us in Latin:  Res ipso loquitor. [ "The matter speaks
for itself."] It is a pleasure to join all tonight who honor this man and
his work which embodies all that is fine, lofty and holy of our faith and
of our species.

Very Rev Arhur E. Liolin, Chancellor
Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America



 
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