From 731 A.D. to the 11th Century
The second period (from 731 A.D. to the beginning of the eleventh century) commences with the union of East Illyricum with the Ecumenical Patriarchate and dependence of many of the episcopates of [modern?] Albania under the Autocephalous Archbishopric of Ohrid. In this area there were turmoil after turmoil, and the Christian population went through greahttp://www.orthodoxalbania.org/English/Brief History/BH Book2apic.htmt trials and tribulations. The most significant of these was the capture of Dyrrachion by the Bulgarians in 896 A.D. After many difficult battles, Basil II was able to decide for Byzantine rule in this area.
Historical information about Church life during this period is scarce. The most reliable testimonies still remain the documented names of bishops and bishoprics. In Leo III’s “Taktikon” (733 A.D.) as it appeared in the Parisinus Codex, in the province of Illyricum, the Metropolitan of Durrës, on which depended eight episcopates, those of Thamn, of Skampa, of Liknidha, of Amantia, Bylisi, Atradha, Avlonës (Vlora) and of Akrokeravnia) ranked fifteenth in the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s list. Later, in the “Church Constitution” of Emperor Leo Sofos (the Wise), at the beginning of tenth century, the Metropolitan of Durrës ranked 43rd- (before the Metropolitan of Smyrna [Izmirit], with fifteen bishops under him: those of Stefaniaka, Kounavia, Krooni (Krujës), Elisus (Lezhë), Dioklea, Liknidha, Antivari (Tivarit), Çernika, Pulkeriopoli (Beratit) dhe Gradica). This suggests that there was a well-developed Church organization. It also shows that new episcopates were created and some older ones remained stable, although they changed place in rank, while others appeared with new names.
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The church fo Hagia Triada (Holy Trinity), on the southwest wall of Berat Castle. This cruciform “inscribed” church with an octagon dome was built in the 13 c., and the paintings were done by Onouphrious Neokastrites (Onuphre) in the 16th c. |
The Metropolitans of Durrës in this period were: Niqifori, whose name appears in the Acts of the Seventh Ecumenical Synod in Nicaea and Lukiani, whose signature is in the great acts of the Synod at the time of Photius ; Cosmas (754-787 A.D.), who represented Epirus at the Seventh Ecumenical Council and Basil I (822 A.D.). It was at the end of the tenth century or the beginning of the eleventh that Saint John Vladimir was active and went to his martyrdom near Elbasan, and his relics are preserved in the monastery that bears his name.
