Christianity in Albania Information & Christianity in Albania Links at HealthHaven.com

Christianity in Albania was established throughout the country in 100 A.D. From the 1000 A.D. the Byzantine Empire carried out Church missions in the area. In relation to the increasing influence of Venice, the Franciscans started to settle down in the area in the 13th century. From the 15th century to the 19th century, under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, Christianity was replaced by Islam as the majority religion in Albania.

Byzantine Orthodox Church in Berat.

There are currently three main Christian congregations:

Roman Catholics (16,8%-17%)
Eastern Orthodox (16%-16,1%), who form the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania and
Evangelical (small %)

[edit] Eastern Orthodoxy

Orthodox Cathedral of Korçë.

Main article: Orthodoxy in Albania

Eastern Orthodoxy is spread all over the Albanian population in all over the world, and makes up 16% of the religion practiced among Albanians. Although Albania is always historically linked with mostly either Roman Catholicism or Islam, it was one of the first nations to easily receive missionaries and accept the Christian Orthodoxy as the religion for one third of its total population.

Although Orthodox Christianity has existed in Albania since the 2nd century AD, and the Orthodox historically constituted 16% of the population of Albania following the islamization of the nation (Albanians had remanined Christians before the Ottomans invaded their country), the first Orthodox liturgy in the Albanian language was celebrated not in Albania, but in Massachusetts. Subsequently, when the Orthodox Church was allowed no official existence in communist Albania, Albanian Orthodoxy survived in exile in Boston (1960-1989). It is a curious history that closely entwines Albanian Orthodoxy with the Bay State.

[edit] Roman Catholicism

Catholic church in Vlorë.

Main article: Roman Catholicism in Albania

The Roman Catholic Church in Albania is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. Around 16,8%-17% of the religious population is Catholic — the second largest religious denomination after Islam. There are five dioceses in the country, including two archdioceses plus an Apostolic Administration covering southern Albania.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Contents

[edit] Eastern Orthodoxy

[edit] Roman Catholicism

[edit] See also

[edit] References