The Resurrection of the Church in Albania
by Jim Forest
In the last decade, with the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, the Church in Albania has gone through dramatic changes. Albania was the first officially atheist state in the world. After 1967 all forms of religious expression, even prayer in one's own home, were forbidden. Since the fall of communism, the Orthodox Church, the oldest and largest Christian community in Albania, has been transformed from a repressed church into a vibrant, rapidly growing and inspired force for renewal and reconciliation in the country.
Jim Forest's narrative presents a fascinating historical background and an inspiring story of current church witness. The traditions and life of this fellowship, so clearly portrayed, will help educate the wider Christian community about Albania's diverse religious life and also the role religion can play as a potential force for both healing and peace in the Balkan region.
The book is illustrated with 65 photos. A selection of the photos can be seen at the Albania report page.
The author: Jim Forest has written many books, including The Ladder of the Beatitudes, Confession: Doorway of Forgiveness, Praying with Icons and Religion in the New Russia. He is secretary of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship and editor of the yearly journal In Communion.
Here are several chapters from the book:
- Out of the Darkness: the voice of Marika Cico
- Freedom: the voice of Metropolitan John Pelushi
- Only With Love: the voice of Raimonda Shqeva
- A Long Honeymoon: the voices of Father Luke & Faith Veronis
- A Candle in Front of the Savior: the voice of Archbishop Anastasios
Publisher
World Council of Churches
WCC Publications
P.O. Box 2100
1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
published August 2002, 128pp, illustrated.
ISBN: 2-8254-1359-3
Price: Sfr26.00, US$15.95, UK£10.95, 17 euros.
The book can be ordered via the WCC web site.
Available in the USA from:
International Specialized Book Services (ISBS)
5824 NE Hassalo Street
Portland, Oregon 97213-3644
Tel: +1 8000 944 6190, Fax: + 1 503 280 8832
E-mail: [email protected]
Website www.isbs.com
ISBS has a sliding scale discount schedule for purchases: 1-4 copies 20%, 5-24 copies 40% and 25+ 44% plus shipping which the bookstore pays. "We require prepayment from bookstores that have never ordered from us before and take various credit cards and, of course, checks. We have a toll-free customer service phone number 1-800-944-6190."
Available in Canada from:
United Church Resource Distribution
3250 Bloor Street West, Suite 300
Etobicoke ON M8X 2Y4
Tel +1 416 253 5456
+1 800 288 7365
Fax: 1 416 253 1630
E-mail: [email protected]
Website www.united-church.ca
Available in Great Britain and Ireland from:
ORCA Book Services Ltd
Stanley House
3 Fleets Lane
Poole, Dorset BH15 3AJ
Tel: +44 1202 665 432
Fax: +44 1202 666 219
E-mail: [email protected]