Latest news with #OrthodoxChristianChurch
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar wraps up Russia trip, highlights Tatarstan's Islamic-Christian ties
KAZAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today wrapped up his four-day official visit to Russia, describing the Republic of Tatarstan as a model of religious harmony and regional collaboration. Speaking at a press conference here, Anwar praised Tatarstan's strong Islamic heritage and its cooperative relationship with the Orthodox Christian Church, which he said reflected "the spirit of peaceful coexistence". "Tatarstan is a strong Islamic region, but what struck me was its close collaboration with the Orthodox Church, which represents nearly 50 per cent of the population here. This is a powerful example of interfaith harmony," he said. Anwar said he took the opportunity, along with ministers in his delegation, to engage with the Orthodox Church to express Malaysia's admiration for Tatarstan's inclusive approach, ahead of Friday prayers at the historic Mardzhani Mosque. The prime minister also highlighted the outcomes of his meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, describing them as productive and forward-looking, particularly in the areas of trade, agriculture, halal economy and education. He said Putin had reiterated Russia's support for strengthening bilateral ties and facilitating the resumption of direct Aeroflot flights to Malaysia to boost tourism and business travel. Anwar also acknowledged Putin's openness to a new independent investigation into the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, reaffirming Malaysia's call for justice based on truth and impartiality. "Putin expressed his sympathy for the victims' families and said Russia is ready to cooperate, provided the investigative body is truly independent and free from political pressure," he said. "Malaysia's position is firm. We want the truth, but we do not act based on assumptions or accusations without evidence." He added that both sides also discussed enhancing trade in agro-commodities, including palm oil and cocoa, and resolving issues that hinder smoother bilateral cooperation. "We touched on chemical industries, furniture, retail and infrastructure development, as well as digital and artificial intelligence sectors," he said. Anwar's visit to Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, included delivering keynote speeches at the Strategic Vision Group Russia–Islamic World dialogue and the KazanForum 2025 plenary session. He met with Tatarstan's Rais Rustam Minnikhanov, prominent Islamic scholars and muftis, as well as Turkmenistan's national leader and former president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. Anwar also held sideline discussions with other regional representatives and ministers. On education ties, Anwar said discussions are underway to reinstate Malay language studies in Russian universities and introduce Russian language courses at Universiti Malaya. He also welcomed a proposal for Malaysian diplomats and young officers to study Arabic, French and Russian to better prepare for global assignments. Anwar is scheduled to return to Kuala Lumpur from Kazan International Airport tonight.
The Hill
30-01-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Thousands of Albanians pay last respects to Orthodox Christian Archbishop Anastasios
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Thousands of Albanians gathered in the capital on Thursday to pay their last respects to Archbishop Anastasios, who revived the country's Orthodox Christian Church after the fall of the country's communist party in 1990. Anastasios, who was the Archbishop of Tirana, Durres, and All Albania and also head of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, died on Jan. 25 in Athens. He was 95. There was a somber mood as people massed in the streets around at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in downtown Tirana for Anastasios who led the church after he reestablished it in 1991. All forms of religion were banned in Albania for almost 50 years from the the mid-1940's, when the country was completely isolated from the outside world. The communists had also expropriated the property of the established Islamic, Orthodox, Catholic and other religions. Albanian's leaders and visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis were joined by representatives of Orthodox clergy from around the world. Albanians and world religious leaders also attended the funeral service. It took two days for Anastasios's funeral procession to reach the capital by car after it entered the country through its southern border with Greece. A similar service was held at the main Greek orthodox Church cathedral in Athens before the procession travelled to Tirana. Born Anastasios Yannoulatos in Piraeus, Greece on Nov. 4, 1929, he arrived in Albania in 1991, immediately after the collapse of the communists that had ruled the country since the mid-1940s Anastasios has been praised for rebuilding the church from the ground up, building hundreds of churches, establishing educational and charitable institutions, and educating a new generation of clergy,. According to the 2023 census, Orthodox Christians in Albania make up about 7% of the country's 2.4 million population, although the church says the actual number is higher. Half the population of tiny Western Balkan country identifies as Muslim with Orthodox and Catholic Christians making up much of the remainder the remainder. The Albanian Orthodox Church will elect Anastasios' replacement.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands of Albanians pay last respects to Orthodox Christian Archbishop Anastasios
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Thousands of Albanians gathered in the capital on Thursday to pay their last respects to Archbishop Anastasios, who revived the country's Orthodox Christian Church after the fall of the country's communist party in 1990. Anastasios, who was the Archbishop of Tirana, Durres, and All Albania and also head of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, died on Jan. 25 in Athens. He was 95. There was a somber mood as people massed in the streets around at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in downtown Tirana for Anastasios who led the church after he reestablished it in 1991. All forms of religion were banned in Albania for almost 50 years from the the mid-1940's, when the country was completely isolated from the outside world. The communists had also expropriated the property of the established Islamic, Orthodox, Catholic and other religions. Albanian's leaders and visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis were joined by representatives of Orthodox clergy from around the world. Albanians and world religious leaders also attended the funeral service. It took two days for Anastasios's funeral procession to reach the capital by car after it entered the country through its southern border with Greece. A similar service was held at the main Greek orthodox Church cathedral in Athens before the procession travelled to Tirana. Born Anastasios Yannoulatos in Piraeus, Greece on Nov. 4, 1929, he arrived in Albania in 1991, immediately after the collapse of the communists that had ruled the country since the mid-1940s Anastasios has been praised for rebuilding the church from the ground up, building hundreds of churches, establishing educational and charitable institutions, and educating a new generation of clergy,. According to the 2023 census, Orthodox Christians in Albania make up about 7% of the country's 2.4 million population, although the church says the actual number is higher. Half the population of tiny Western Balkan country identifies as Muslim with Orthodox and Catholic Christians making up much of the remainder the remainder. The Albanian Orthodox Church will elect Anastasios' replacement. By Llazar Semini, The Associated Press
Associated Press
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Thousands of Albanians pay last respects to Orthodox Christian Archbishop Anastasios
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Thousands of Albanians gathered in the capital on Thursday to pay their last respects to Archbishop Anastasios, who revived the country's Orthodox Christian Church after the fall of the country's communist party in 1990. Anastasios, who was the Archbishop of Tirana, Durres, and All Albania and also head of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, died on Jan. 25 in Athens. He was 95. There was a somber mood as people massed in the streets around at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in downtown Tirana for Anastasios who led the church after he reestablished it in 1991. All forms of religion were banned in Albania for almost 50 years from the the mid-1940's, when the country was completely isolated from the outside world. The communists had also expropriated the property of the established Islamic, Orthodox, Catholic and other religions. Albanian's leaders and visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis were joined by representatives of Orthodox clergy from around the world. Albanians and world religious leaders also attended the funeral service. It took two days for Anastasios's funeral procession to reach the capital by car after it entered the country through its southern border with Greece. A similar service was held at the main Greek orthodox Church cathedral in Athens before the procession travelled to Tirana. Born Anastasios Yannoulatos in Piraeus, Greece on Nov. 4, 1929, he arrived in Albania in 1991, immediately after the collapse of the communists that had ruled the country since the mid-1940s Anastasios has been praised for rebuilding the church from the ground up, building hundreds of churches, establishing educational and charitable institutions, and educating a new generation of clergy,. According to the 2023 census, Orthodox Christians in Albania make up about 7% of the country's 2.4 million population, although the church says the actual number is higher. Half the population of tiny Western Balkan country identifies as Muslim with Orthodox and Catholic Christians making up much of the remainder the remainder. The Albanian Orthodox Church will elect Anastasios' replacement.
The Independent
30-01-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Thousands of Albanians pay last respects to Orthodox Christian Archbishop Anastasios
Thousands of Albanians gathered in the capital on Thursday to pay their last respects to Archbishop Anastasios, who revived the country's Orthodox Christian Church after the fall of the country's communist party in 1990. Anastasios, who was the Archbishop of Tirana, Durres, and All Albania and also head of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, died on Jan. 25 in Athens. He was 95. There was a somber mood as people massed in the streets around at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in downtown Tirana for Anastasios who led the church after he reestablished it in 1991. All forms of religion were banned in Albania for almost 50 years from the the mid-1940's, when the country was completely isolated from the outside world. The communists had also expropriated the property of the established Islamic, Orthodox, Catholic and other religions. Albanian's leaders and visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis were joined by representatives of Orthodox clergy from around the world. Albanians and world religious leaders also attended the funeral service. It took two days for Anastasios's funeral procession to reach the capital by car after it entered the country through its southern border with Greece. A similar service was held at the main Greek orthodox Church cathedral in Athens before the procession travelled to Tirana. Born Anastasios Yannoulatos in Piraeus, Greece on Nov. 4, 1929, he arrived in Albania in 1991, immediately after the collapse of the communists that had ruled the country since the mid-1940s Anastasios has been praised for rebuilding the church from the ground up, building hundreds of churches, establishing educational and charitable institutions, and educating a new generation of clergy,. According to the 2023 census, Orthodox Christians in Albania make up about 7% of the country's 2.4 million population, although the church says the actual number is higher. Half the population of tiny Western Balkan country identifies as Muslim with Orthodox and Catholic Christians making up much of the remainder the remainder. The Albanian Orthodox Church will elect Anastasios' replacement.
