The region occupied by what is now Albania stretches along the north coast of the Ionian Sea and the south coast of the Adriatic, and lies in¬land along the axis of the western section of the axis formed by the Ignatian Way. It has been directly involved in the political and intellectual ferment of three successive empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. At the same time it has been a target for barbarian attacks and looting by various peoples (Huns, Goths, Normans, Serbs, Bulgars, Venetians, and others) intent on penetrating into its territory. Its most fundamental metropolitan centers have always been multi-ethnic in composition, with Greeks, Illyrians, and Romans living side by side, as well as with various other elements in times of invasion.
On the basis of the ecclesiastical affiliation of the provinces of modern Albania, we can discern five chronological periods:
1) From Apostolic time to 731, when this region was subordinate to the self-governing Church of East Illyricum, under the Roman Vicariate of Thessaloniki.
2) The second period extends from 731 to the eleventh century; the region was subordinate to the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
3) The third period runs from the eleventh century to 1767; most of the Sees were subject to the Autocephalous Archbishopric of Ohrid.
4) The fourth period extends from 1767 to 1937; subject to the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
5) In the last period, from 1937 onwards, the Church of Albania is autocephalous.
