Overview 1991-2020
After the Germans retreated from Albania in November of 1944, Albania came under total control of a communist regime. The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania suffered under this regime like no other Church in the communist countries. For forty-six years, Enver Hoxha and his regime tried to destroy and eradicate Orthodoxy in our country.
During the second phase of this persecution (1967-1990), the Albanian state became completely atheist. On the 4th April 1967, orders were given for the absolute persecution of religion. With a decree released on November 22, 1967, Albania was officially declared as the first and the only atheist state in the world and in history, where every expression of religious was constitutionally banned. The Orthodox Church crumbled. At that time, the Orthodox Church of Albania consisted of the Archdiocesan district, three other Metropolises, 19 hierarchical zones, 330 church communities and 25 monasteries (without monastic brotherhoods). The clergy were forced to remove their robes. Terrible crimes, internments, imprisonments, and murders were carried out against the faithful. All the churches and monasteries were violently closed, many of them were razed to the ground, others were repurposed and turned into museums, storehouses, blacksmiths, stables, etc. The Church’s possessions, such as its property, sacred vessels, and archives were confiscated. Even the smallest expressions of religious belief, e.g. owning icons, lighting candles, dyeing Easter eggs etc., were severely punished. For twenty-five years no ordination to the ranks of the clergy took place in Albania, but a most tragic thing was that no bishop survived this great trial. Therefore, when this period of persecution ended, it was impossible to reestablish and reorganize the Church given its internal situation.
In 1991, when the communist regime collapsed as a result of world developments, the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania was in a very poor state. Terrible trials during the preceding decades had, as massive fires, burnt-down the local Church and left it barren like a desert.
The initiative for the reorganization of the Church of Albania, which had been granted Autocephaly in 1937, was taken by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. On June 24th, 1992, His Beatitude Anastasios (Janullatos) was elected as Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania. Anastasios, at that time Bishop-Metropolitan of Androusa and Professor of the University of Athens, had also up until that time been the Moderator for the World Council of Churches Commission on World Mission and Evangelism. His election in 1992 was preceded by a year of missionary work, having arrived in Tirana in June 1991 as the Patriarchal Exarch. By the grace of God, the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania which began to be directed and organized by Archbishop Anastasios, rose again from the ruins.
The Formation of Ecclesial Structures
From 1992 to 1998, the responsibility for the missionary and pastoral care of Albania was taken up by Archbishop Anastasios. In 1998, the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania was established consisting of His Beatitude Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania and four senior clergy: His Eminence Ignatios, Metropolitan of Berat; His Eminence John of Korca, His Grace Kosma, and Protopresbyter Jani Trebicka as chief registrar. In 2006, three new bishops were added to the Synod: Archimandrite Dimitrios Sinaiti as Metropolitan of Gjirokastra; Archimandrite Nikolla Hyka, who later became Bishop of Apollonia; and Archimandrite Andon Merdani, who became Bishop of Kruja (the last two bishops acted as assistants to the Archbishop).
From 3-4 November 2006, at the Monastery of Saint Vlash in Durrës, the Clergy-Laity Assembly of the Church was gathered, consisting of 257 members, to review every Article of the new Statute of the Church and who unanimously accepted this new Statute. On the 6th of November, the Holy Synod ratified the Statute of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania.
On November 24th, 2008, the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania and the Council of Ministers signed an agreement in accordance with the Albanian Constitution. This agreement was approved by the Albanian Parliament and became state law no. 10057 on January 22nd, 2009.
In 2012, two new bishops were ordained: Archimandrite Nathanail Lavrioti as Bishop of Amantia and Archimandrite Asti Bakallbashi as Bishop of Bylis.
On 11-12 March 2016, the Clergy-Laity Assembly of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania was convened on the premises of the New Monastery of Saint Vlash. More than 280 participants from the Archdiocese and the three Metropolises (all of the clergy as well as thirty lay people from the Archdiocese and each Metropolis) attended. During this Assembly, some additions were made to the Church Statute, which had been previously approved in 2006. Two new Metropolises were created: The Metropolis of Apollonia and Fier with His Grace Bishop Nikolla Hyka appointed as its head and the Metropolis of Elbasan with His Grace Andon Merdani appointed as its head. Additionally, His Grace Bishop Nathanael was appointed as Metropolitan of Amantia.
Today the Holy Synod consists of: His Beatitude, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania, Anastasios; The Metropolitans: His Eminence Ignatios of Berati; His Eminence John of Korça, His Eminence Dimitrios of Gjirokastra; His Eminence Nikolla of Apollonia and Fier; His Eminence Andon of Elbasan; His Eminence Nathanael of Amantia (who also preforms the duty of the Secretary-General), and His Grace Bishop Asti of Bylis.
Clergy Ordinations
Along with the few aged clergy who had survived communism, a new generation of clergy was educated. Under the personal care of the Archbishop, a new generation of clergy, who are all Albanian citizens, has been educated and ordained. Today 159 clergy of all ranks serve the Church, all of whom have completed higher education (18 others have since passed away).
Since 1992, the “Resurrection of Christ” Orthodox Theological Academy has been in operation. This Academy prepares clergy and candidates to work as catechists and to serve in various fields of the Church. Meanwhile, many of the graduates have continued their education by study in theological universities abroad.
Orthodox Youth Centers
• Orthodox Youth centers have been created which operate in both cities and villages. Every year, various activities are organized for the youth. These activities include: summer and winter camps, conferences, sporting events, activities with disabled youth, youth festivals etc. In addition, summer camps in the neighboring country of Kosovo had been organized for a long period of time (since 1999).
Construction Work
• More than 150 new churches (large and small) have been built, 60 churches and monasteries that are designated as cultural monuments have been renovated and restored, and over 160 churches have been restored. More than 70 buildings have been purchased, built, and renovated to serve as kindergartens, schools, youth centers, health centers, metropolitan sees, hospitality homes, workshops, soup kitchens, etc. The entire construction work totals over 450 projects. For several years now, since 1995, an architecture course has been offered; each year forty young students learn and study about church buildings and church architecture.
• In 2016 the Hydroelectric Plant “Rapuni 3 and 4” in Librazhd was inaugurated.
Publications
The Orthodox Church has its own modern printing press and publishes the monthly newspaper “Ngjallja” (Resurrection), the children’s magazine “Gëzohu!” (Rejoice!), the youth magazine “Kambanat”(Bells) as well as dozens of liturgical, spiritual, scientific books, etc.
• In 2009, the academic journal “Kërkim” (Research) was launched, with articles in theology, science, culture, and reality. In Korça,”Tempulli” (Temple), a periodical cultural magazine has been published since 2000; while in Gjirokastra the “Enoria Jonë” (Our Parish) bulletin continues to be published; additionally the Theological Academy publishes the student bulletin “Fjala” (Word).
Health Care
After observing the large variety of needs that our people had in the early years of democracy, especially in regards to medical care, such as medical visits, medicines, etc, Archbishop Anastasios opened the first Orthodox clinic, which was named “St. Luke,” in 1994. In November 1999, this clinic was replaced by the “Annunciation” Orthodox Medical Diagnostic Center, which is a modern polyclinic in regards to its premises, medical equipment, and the services it provides.
• The Orthodox Medical Diagnostic Center “Annunciation” in Tirana has 23 specialties and offers contemporary medical services, through the contribution of renowned doctors, specialized staff, and the latest modern medical equipment, to the whole population regardless of their faith. Over its nineteen years of operation, more than 2 million visits have been conducted as well as millions of analyses. In November of 2011, the Ophthalmic and Otolaryngological Center in Tirana began its operation, offering first-rate medical care and access to modern medical equipment.
• Primary Health Care Centers (Polyclinics) have been operating for many years in Kavaja, Korça, and Lushnja (1997-2015). A medical diagnostic center functions in Jergucat (Gjirokastër). For many years (1997-2011), a mobile dental unit provided free service to patients in towns and villages (especially to children).
• The “Diakonia Agapes” Office has contributed to an increase in the number of nurses and midwives in rural areas by providing training and assistance projects and by publishing a free practical book “Where There are No Doctors, ” etc.
Special Care for Education
• The institutions for theological education in Albania are as follows: “The Resurrection of Christ” Theological Academy, in Durrës; two high schools “Holy Cross” in Gjirokastra and “Holy Cross” in Sukth (Durrës), and a Byzantine Music School in Tirana. All of the previously mentioned schools are equipped with contemporary dormitories and all students are given scholarships by Archbishop Anastasios.
• 20 kindergartens have been organized and operate in Tirana (2), Durrës, Kavajë, Elbasan (2), Cërrik, Gramsh, Shkodër, Berat, Vlorë, Lushnje, Gjirokastër (2), Sarandë, Dervic, Përmet, Tepelenë , Korça, Pogradec.
• Other schools run by the Church include: the “Protagonist” Albanian-American educational complex (kindergarten, 9-year school, high school) in Tirana; the Albanian-Greek K-9 “Spirit of Love” schools in Durrës (which also includes a high school) and Gjirokastra; “Platon” High School in Korca; The “Apostle Paul” High School and Vocational Secondary School in Mesopotam; the “Unfading Rose” dormitory for high school girls in Bularat; and the “Orthodox Home of Hope” Orphanage in in St. Vlash, Durrës.
• At various times, technical and material support has been provided to numerous public schools. Also, several destroyed university buildings have been repaired in Tirana and Gjirokastra, 10 schools were rebuilt, including a dormitory for deaf and dumb children, 6 day-cares (kindergartens), the Zyber Hallulli Children’s Sports Hall in Tirana etc.
• From 2000 to 2010, The “Spirit of Love” Professional Training Institute (the first of its kind in the country) operated in Tirana – with a branch in Gjirokastra (2002 – 2011)
• Since October 2010, “Logos” University College operates in Tirana. The University contains two faculties: Economics and Science (with three branches) and Applied Sciences (with two branches).
Social and Humanitarian Work
• During the country’s various crises (1992, 94, 97), the Orthodox Church of Albania has undertaken a wide range of social and humanitarian activities, providing and distributing thousands of tons of food, clothing, medicine, etc. to people in need. In 1997 alone, thousands of tons of food, clothing, and medicine were provided.
• The Church has supported a large number of social programs, including development projects in mountain areas, agriculture and livestock projects, infrastructure creation (road and water supply construction), health and social programs for women in rural areas, and children’s health education. The Church has established health centers in villages and has offered contributions to schools, orphanages, hospitals, institutions for disabled people, asylum centers, shelters for prisoners (e.g. the construction of a greenhouse was undertaken where prisoners could work and receive some income and an activity center was built which consisted of a mini-athletics field and computer room for prisoners), and soup-kitchens for the poor, etc.
• In 1999, when thousands of refugees arrived in Albania from Kosovo, the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, in collaboration with international donors and religious organizations (especially the ACT program of the World Council of Churches) developed an assistance program. This program totaled over $12 million and assisted more than 33,000 refugees from Kosovo by providing food, clothing, medical care, and housing (in two camps). The last refugee camp to remain open Albania (closed June 2001) was administered by the Church.
• In 2008, from the first moments after the tragedy in the village of Gerdec, the Church provided both material and human contribution, as well as appealing for and gathering various aid from Orthodox believers inside and outside of Albania. This aid was distributed to the injured. In addition to the aid, the kindergarten in the village of Muçaj was completely rebuilt.
• The Orthodox Church also contributed to helping the residents affected by the terrible floods of 2002, in the districts of Lezha, Berat and Gjirokastra and in 2010 in the city of Shkodra. In the last few years, the residents of the districts of Fier and Vlora, affected by flooding, have been continuously assisted.
Contribution to Culture
• A special Office of Cultural Heritage works to register and restore Orthodox objects of worship, which are also cultural monuments. Over 11 million euros have been spent on these projects to date.
• Church choirs have been organized in many churches throughout the country. Studios have been set up for the painting and restoration of icons, as well as for the preparation of a new generation of artists that have revitalized our rich tradition of iconography. As many as six hundred icons have been restored to date
• Since 1998, the “Ngjallja” (Resurrection) Radio Station, transmits on FM 88.5 MHz. The radio station also livestreams its programing over the internet. This radio station broadcasts various cultural, social, and religious programs 24 hours a day.
• Important scientific publications, documentaries, scientific symposiums, and various exhibitions in fields such as iconographic, children’s works, etc. have been sponsored.
Environmental Care
• In March 2001, the “Environmental Protection and Personnel Preparation Program” started. It included postgraduate education for young Albanians who graduated in biology, forestry and environmental engineering.
• The program involved studies for the protection of ecosystems in the Zvërnec area of the Narta Lagoon, the Vjosa River, and Llogara National Park, as well as studies for solid waste management in several cities.
International Relations
• The Orthodox Church of Albania participates in all meetings and activities of the Orthodox Churches worldwide. In 2016 she participated in the Holy and Great Council in Crete. She is a member of the Conference of European Churches and of the World Council of Churches. Archbishop Anastasios has been one of eight presidents of the World Council of Churches, 2006-2013, and since 2009 He is also an Honorary President of “Religions for Peace” the largest Interfaith Organization.
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The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, with its presence and activity over the years, has substantially contributed to the rebuilding and spiritual and social development of the country.
January 2018
