Archbishop John in the European Parliament: on the role of Orthodoxy and interreligious dialogue in Albania's European path

Commemorative events were held in the European Parliament to mark the anniversary of the death of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, who played a key role in the revival of the Orthodox Church in the country after the communist regime. His successor, Archbishop John of Tirana, Durres and All Albania, delivered a report, emphasizing the importance of Orthodoxy for Albania’s European path and the unique experience of interreligious dialogue in the country.

According to the press service of the Albanian Orthodox Church, Archbishop John reminded the members of the European Parliament of the dramatic history of Albania, which in 1967 became the first state in the world to officially declare itself atheist. At that time, religious communities were completely banned, churches were destroyed or closed, and the clergy were repressed. By the early 1990s, the Orthodox Church in Albania had virtually ceased to exist.

After freedom of religion was restored in 1991, it was Archbishop Anastasios who was sent by the Patriarchate of Constantinople to revive church life. During the decades of his ministry, Archbishop John noted, about 150 new Orthodox churches were built in Albania, dozens of historic churches and monasteries were restored, and modern systems of theological education and social assistance were created.

The report paid special attention to the model of peaceful interreligious coexistence. Albania, being a Muslim-majority country, traditionally includes Orthodox and Catholics in active public life. Archbishop John emphasized that the approach to dialogue developed in Albania can serve as an example for other European countries, quoting the words of Archbishop Anastasios that «faith should not become a source of conflict, but is intended to heal social wounds.»

As part of his visit to Brussels, Archbishop John held a series of meetings with representatives of the European Union institutions. The main topics of discussion were the issues of European integration of Albania, mechanisms for protecting the rights of religious communities and unresolved problems, in particular, related to the return of church property.

Earlier, the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Archbishop John, spoke about the Ukrainian church issue. The first hierarch drew attention to the fact that the creation of the OCU split world Orthodoxy, noting that the Synod of the Albanian Church had expressed its position on this issue and it remains unchanged.