On November 4, Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania celebrated his 95th birthday, making him the oldest primate among the heads of the Local Orthodox Churches.

According to public sources, the future Archbishop (Anastasios Yannoulatos) was born in Piraeus, Greece, on November 4, 1929. He received his theological education at the University of Athens, graduating with honors before dedicating his life to missionary work. After completing his studies, he served in the military and was active in international Orthodox organizations before embarking on a missionary journey to Uganda. Later, upon being ordained as a bishop, he led external missions for the Church of Greece, promoting theological education and church construction.

In 1991, by decision of the Ecumenical Patriarch, he was sent to Albania, where religious traditions had been almost obliterated, and churches destroyed under decades of communist rule. In 1992, he was elected head of the Albanian Orthodox Church. Under his leadership, Albania saw a profound revival of church life, with dozens of churches restored and schools and charitable centers opened. In 2017, Anastasios was granted Albanian citizenship in recognition of his contributions to the country.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow sent a congratulatory message, highlighting Archbishop Anastasios' selfless service and immense role in the revival of the Orthodox Church in Albania. The Patriarch praised Anastasios as a model of a good shepherd and a respected voice for Orthodox believers worldwide.

"In the many years of your devoted service, you have gained a wealth of life and spiritual experience, fully realized in your missionary and sacrificial archpastoral labors in reviving the Holy Albanian Church, which endured severe trials and persecution. 'Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days' (Job 12:12). These words of Scripture have truly come to pass in Your Beatitude: millions of Orthodox faithful around the world heed your voice as an exemplary shepherd (John 10:11), bearing witness to God's truth and boldly proclaiming the mystery of the Gospel (Ephesians 6:19)," wrote Patriarch Kirill.