Petrit Latifi

The history of the Albanian Church is almost as long as the history of Christianity. St. Paul in his letter to the Romans mentions the lands of Albania, writing: “beginning in Jerusalem and the countries around it, as far as Illyricum, I spread the gospel of Christ.”

According to tradition, missionary activity in the territory of present-day Albania was carried out not only by St. Paul but also by the apostle Andrew. In the times of Emperor Trajan, the area around Durrës became the place of martyrdom of St. Astius. Already in 55 the first bishopric in the territory of Albania was established in Durrës with bishop Caesar, who was supposed to be one of the disciples of Christ.

The oldest bishoprics included Shkodër (Scutari), mentioned in documents in 385, and Vlorë (Aulon). The first synod of Albanian bishops probably took place in the 9th century, and in the provincial synod in Dioclea (now Podgorica) in 1199, 6 bishops from Albania participated.

The contribution of Christianity to Albanian culture cannot be overestimated. The Latin baptismal formula from the 15th century remains the first preserved written Albanian document. The first book in Albanian was a missal from 1555, the first Albanian poet was a Catholic priest, the first Albanian dictionary was written in 1635 by Bishop Frag Bardhi, the first drama in Albanian was staged by Father Leonardo de Martino in 1880. The first music band in Albania (Fr. Tom Markozzi, 1882) and the first orchestra (Fr. Martin Gjokes, 1917) were also the work of priests. The first cinematograph in Albanian lands was launched in 1912, in the Franciscan college.

One of the Church Fathers, St. Jerome (born in Dalmatia), the translator of the Vulgate, was of Albanian origin. Pope Sylvester 1 (314-335) came from an Albanian family from Dalmatia. Clement XI (Gjon Franccsk Albani) came from the Arberesh, an Albanian minority living in southern Italy. His pontificate lasted from 1700 to 1721.

On his initiative, the Second Synod of Albanian Bishops was convened in Mercinjë near Lezhë (known in Church history as the Concilium Albanicum). The Synod made the audience aware that Christianity in Albania had assimilated elements of Islam, while at the same time resolving to combat such abuses.

Among the religious orders operating in Albania, the Franciscans dominated, having arrived in Albanian lands in 1283. This order established the first schools where Albanian was taught, as well as the first theological seminary in Albania, erected in 1861.

The Franciscans created a system of clubs belonging to the “Catholic Action” and initiated the publication of Catholic magazines. Schools in Albania were also established by two other orders: the Jesuits and the Lazarists, although their influence and scope of activity was much smaller. The first nuns appeared in Albania in 1879.

Reference

https://www.salon24.pl/u/xpictianoc/88810,rodowod-chrzescijanstwa-albanskiego-do-roku-1912