Albanian Orthodox Archbishop Anastasius speaks about the continuous persecution of the Albanian Orthodox Church
February 5, 2016. Archbishop Anastasius gave an interview and explained the situation in his Local Church, as the website agionoros reports.
Today, the Orthodox Church of Albania is still persecuted by the authorities “which they have not yet returned the shrines, including many monasteries.” According to the archbishop, “it is not a matter of political authorities to determine what is sacred and what is not.”
The Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church emphasized that the Orthodox Albanian population of the country is 22 percent. The church is actively cooperating with the society and provides an extensive charity work, suc as building schools, opening universities, cultural centers and hospitals. Tirana’s top modern medical center offered its services for more than half of a million people, regardless of their beliefs and religious affiliation. In addition, 150 new churches have been built and 60 monasteries and churches restored.