Anastasios Theofanis was born in Preveza. He migrated to Moscow at an unknown date, imitating the example of many Greeks from northwestern Greece who sought wealth away from their enslaved homeland’s oppressive conditions. The Greek community in Moscow was populous and the city was an important commercial and intellectual hub. Information on Theofanis’ life is scarce but we know that his son, George, was among the 42 benefactors from Epirus who came to prominence in 19th-century Russia. Anastasios’ commercial success enabled him to dedicate a substantial sum in support of educational purposes in Preveza following his death in 1814.