European Albania, whose religion in the most incredible way intertwined Muslims, Catholics and Orthodox, is by far the most mysterious and unheeded by tourists country.
Albania - the pearl in the bunker
The warm, kind and hospitable Country of the Eagles, or “Schiptara”, as the Albanians themselves call their homeland, remained aloof from the crowded resort routes. And the reason for this is not the lack of climatic attractions. With this, it’s just the opposite: the gentle and warm waters of the Ionian and Adriatic seas, mild climate, the proximity to the popular resorts of Greece, Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia ... The communist past, which is deeply rooted in this country, is to blame.
The devotion of the former government to the cause of Lenin and Stalin reached such fanaticism that when the process of de-Stalinism began in the USSR, Albania broke all ties with its former "friend." Complete isolation from the outside world, the total destruction of religiosity led to the fact that even today the population of Albania is the most atheistic in the world.
Orthodox churches and Muslim mosques were destroyed or turned into buildings of social purpose. Instead, bunkers were massively erected - shelters from the attack of the "evil imperialists." After the change of government, believers, regardless of religion, are happy to restore the forgotten traditions of their ancestors.
Brotherhood of denominations
The period of domination of atheist communism has raised a whole generation of Albanians who cannot give a firm answer to the question of their religion. Albania, whose religion is now undergoing a revival phase, can serve as a model for the modern world to coexist peacefully with people of different religious beliefs.
Mosques and temples are reborn on an equal footing. Christians and Muslims not only live peacefully and work hand in hand, but also create families. An interesting country is this Albania. Religion in life is vividly illustrated by the example of the family of the Albanian prime minister. The grandfather of the country's chief minister Edy Rama was Orthodox, and his grandmother was Catholic. In this faith, she raised her sons. The current wife of the head of the Cabinet is a Muslim woman, two sons from different marriages are adherents of Orthodoxy and Catholicism. And such a multiconfessional family in Albania is not alone.
Islam in Albania
In many sources, Albania is called the only Muslim country in Europe. This is not an exact definition. Firstly, do not forget Turkey; secondly, Islam was the dominant religion only at the stage of religious rebirth. The results of the last census suggest that the percentage of Muslims is now represented by the figure of 60%.
So, Muslim Albania. Religion Islam came to this country with the adherents of Haji Bektash – led at the turn of the 12-13th centuries. Later, from the 14th century, with the Ottomans, Sunni Muslims entered the territory of the state. The traditions of the Albanian Muslim Bektash are different from the traditionally Islamic and contain some elements similar to Christianity.
If distributed by territoriality, then the Sunnis occupy mainly the north-east and the center of the country, the Bektash people mainly settle in cities.
Orthodoxy in Albania
The origin of Orthodoxy in Albania is associated with the name of St. Caesar, who is considered the apostle of this region. The names of many holy great martyrs are associated with the Albanian land. Albania, whose religion has been under a strict ban for a long time (they could have been sentenced to imprisonment for an icon found in the house), is the birthplace of saints Donatus, Ferin, Danaks, Nifont and others. Martyr's death for Christ was accepted on this earth by Cosmas of Aetola and Nikita of Albania. In times of repression, Orthodox priests suffered more than others.
After the regime change, not a single Christian monastery, not a single temple was left on the territory of the country. For comparison: before the First World War, Orthodoxy numbered 354 churches, 300 small chapels, 28 monasteries and two theological seminaries.
The Church entrusted Vladyka Anastasia with the restoration of destroyed Orthodoxy. The first church services had to be held in the open, since there was not a single church that survived. The result of the archbishop's activities was the restoration and repair of ruined churches, the construction of new ones, the opening of monasteries, and the training of priests.
Albanian Catholics
Greek Catholics of the Byzantine rite appeared in Albania from among the Greeks and Albanians, who fled from the Turkish conquerors. The population of Albania, professing Catholicism, today makes up about 10% of all believers.
Albanian feature
What you will not see anywhere else is amazing tolerance for the rites and customs of representatives of various faiths. No one will be surprised here, for example, that a deceased Muslim will be led into the world by another Orthodox priest. Here, as nowhere else, the truth is confirmed: God is one, only religions are different. The largest in this country and the number of mixed marriages.