The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania has been a member of the World Council of Churches (WCC) since 1994. Under communist rule from 1945 onwards, the Orthodox and other churches in Albania came under complete control of the state. Until 1967 it was the same type of persecution as in other communist countries. In 1967 Albania declared itself an atheist state. All forms of religious expression were constitutionally forbidden. Virtually all churches and monasteries were destroyed or turned into warehouses, barracks etc. Clergy were unfrocked, many of them were thrown into prison or sent into exile, and a number went to their martyrdom. Of the 440 priests who had served before communism only 22 survived this time of extreme hardship. Beginning in 1991 the Orthodox Church of Albania rose from its ruins. A remarkable revival and development began which radiated into many social sectors. Read more at http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/orthodox-autocephalous-church-of-albania In this video, we hear from Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and Durres, Orthodox primate of Albania and former WCC president for the Eastern Orthodox member churches, as well as from workers in the educational and diaconal ministry of this church.

• published: 28 May 2014
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