Metropolitan Isaac (Barakat) of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, overseeing Germany and Central Europe, attended an international theological conference honoring the memory of Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania. The event took place Thursday at the Logos Theological Academy in Tirana and is part of a series of observances celebrating Archbishop Anastasios’s legacy, recognized as one of the key figures in Orthodoxy from the late 20th to early 21st century.

The conference, themed "Who has fulfilled and taught will be called great," gathered hierarchs, theologians, and representatives from various Orthodox churches. Archbishop John of Tirana and All Albania also participated in the opening session.

In his address, Metropolitan Isaac presented on the topic “Ignatius of Antioch and Anastasios of Albania — Colleagues in the Orthodox Vision,” highlighting the spiritual and pastoral kinship between Archbishop Anastasios and the late Patriarch Ignatius IV (Hazim).

Patriarch Ignatius IV (Hazim) (1920–2012) was a prominent Orthodox leader during a tumultuous period marked by war, Christian emigration from the Middle East, and pressure from secular states and Islamic environments. He strengthened parish life, revitalized theological education, fostered youth engagement, and promoted mission work. As a vibrant theologian, he insisted that Orthodoxy must remain a living, Eucharistic, and missionary faith rather than merely a museum tradition.

Metropolitan Isaac recalled the close personal and ecclesiastical ties between the two leaders, emphasizing their collaborative efforts in Orthodox youth movements and inter-Orthodox assemblies. He stated that both hierarchs shared a profound understanding of the Church as a living community based on service to humanity, education, and compassion.

“The love for the Church shared by Patriarch Ignatius of Antioch and Archbishop Anastasios of Albania was expressed not in words, but through service to people and the cultivation of vibrant church communities,” said Metropolitan Isaac in his speech.

The address placed special emphasis on the contributions of Archbishop Anastasios and Patriarch Ignatius IV in revitalizing church life amidst severe crises. Metropolitan Isaac noted that both leaders inherited churches suffering from extreme poverty and internal challenges, yet managed to establish an extensive network of educational, social, and medical institutions. Archbishop Anastasios worked to restore his Church after years of persecution and official atheism, while Patriarch Ignatius guided his through the civil war in Lebanon and the broader Middle Eastern crisis.

In the concluding part of his presentation, Metropolitan Isaac underscored the importance of theological education, noting that both Archbishop Anastasios and Patriarch Ignatius IV prioritized the training of clergy and the development of theological scholarship while supporting active participation from Orthodox churches in interchurch and inter-Christian dialogue. The spiritual schools they established—Balamand University in Lebanon and the Durrës Theological Seminary in Albania—continue to thrive today.