Orthodox Church of Albania

Also known as: Albanian Orthodox Church

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July 2, 2026

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The Orthodox Church of Albania is an autocephalous (self-governing) branch of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Historically, the region of modern Albania was part of the Byzantine Empire, and Christianity was established there, supplanting paganism. In 732 CE, the Byzantine emperor detached the Albanian church from the Roman pope and placed it under the patriarch of Constantinople. When the Christian church split in 1054, southern Albania remained tied to Constantinople, while the north reverted to Roman jurisdiction, marking the first religious fragmentation. The Orthodox Church of Albania was officially recognized as autocephalous in 1937. While Albania is predominantly Muslim due to Ottoman rule, a significant portion of the population identifies with Eastern Orthodoxy, particularly in the southern districts.1234

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Albania
From Illyria to Albania
Iconoclastic Controversy, detached the Albanian church from the Roman pope and placed it under the patriarch of Constantinople. When the Christian church split in 1054 between the East and Rome, southern Albania retained its tie to Constantinople while northern Albania reverted to the jurisdiction of Rome. This split in…
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Iconoclastic Controversy, detached the Albanian church from the Roman pope and placed it under the patriarch of Constantinople. When the Christian church split in 1054 between the East and Rome, southern Albania retained its tie to Constantinople while northern Albania reverted to the jurisdiction of Rome. This split in…
Read More