1st Edition

Communism, Atheism and the Orthodox Church of Albania Cooperation, Survival and Suppression, 1945–1967

By Artan Hoxha Copyright 2022
270 Pages 12 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

270 Pages 12 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

270 Pages 12 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

This book examines the relations between the Albanian communist regime and the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (AAOC) from 1945, when the communists came to power, to 1967, when Albania became the only atheistic state in the world, and religion of all kinds was completely suppressed. Based on extensive archival research, the book outlines Orthodox Church life under communism and considers... Read more

Introduction 1. Nationalism and the Orthodox Church in a country with a Muslim majority 2. Looking for Support 3. The regime’s crackdowns and the reactions of the Orthodox clergy 4. Long Life to the People’s Power 5. The AOCA in the Service of the State 6. The Erosion of the Church’s Body 7. "Unheard Of—Not Even in Turkish Times": the Road to 1967

Biography

Artan R. Hoxha is a Researcher at the Institute of History in Tirana, Albania, and a Fellow Researcher at the Center of World History, University of Pittsburgh, USA.