The message of his Beatitude, Archbishop of Tirana and all Albania Anastas, sent his Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill on 10 October 2018, expressed concern that the implementation of the Constantinople Patriarchate of the Ukrainian autocephaly “will become a “minefield”,” reports patriarhiei.
“It reminds on a great adventure with unexpected side effects. The warring factions will retain its individuality and unity, as it has repeatedly happened in various Churches. In the end, instead of unity of the Orthodox in Ukraine emerges the danger of a split of the unity of world Orthodoxy”, — said the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church, noting that this opinion he shared with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople during a private meeting on the island of Crete.
His Beatitude, the Archbishop said that raises “fervent prayers about the unity of our Holy Church, which her Head — our Lord Jesus Christ, purchased with His own blood (acts. 20:28)”.
The Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church assured his Holiness Patriarch Kirill, that his side “will do everything possible to prevent a schism in the world Orthodoxy.”
“Such a development would be a painful blow to the credibility of Orthodoxy, which all the forces should be avoided, — said his Beatitude Anastasios. — No matter how it seemed impossible, we believe that we must “do everything” to return to the Meetings of the primates and the planning of the new Great Cathedral. We are aware that some will consider these proposals unrealistic and ultimately unworkable. Nevertheless, I am convinced that no one can be a realist, if you don’t believe in miracles, and what is impossible with men is possible with God (LK. 18:18-27)”.