Communism, Atheism and the Orthodox Church of Albania; Cooperation, Survival and Suppression, 1945–1967; 1

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 the regime’s strategies to control, use, and subordinate the Church. It argues against a simple state oppression versus Church resistance scenario, showing that the situation was much more complex, with neither the regime nor the Church being monolithic entities. It shows how, despite the brutality and the constant pressure of the state, the Church successfully negotiated with the communist authorities and benefited from engaging with them, and how the communist authorities used the Church as a tool of foreign policy, especially to strengthen the regime’s ties with their East European allies. "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 the regime's strategies to control, use, and subordinate the Church. It argues against a simple state oppression versus Church resistance scenario, showing that the situation was much more complex, with neither the regime nor the Church being monolithic entities. It shows how, despite the brutality and the constant pressure of the state, the Church successfully negotiated with the communist authorities and benefited from engaging with them, and how the communist authorities used the Church as a tool of foreign policy, especially to strengthen the regime's ties with their East European allies"-- Provided by publisher Communism, Atheism and the Orthodox Church of Albania Cover -1 Half Title 2 Series Page 3 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Photos 9 Acknowledgements 18 Introduction 20 Notes 32 1. Nationalism and the Orthodox Church in a Country with a Muslim Majority 33 Notes 42 2. Looking for Support 46 Notes 70 3. The Regime's Crackdowns and the Reactions of the Orthodox Clergy 76 Notes 100 4. Long Life to the Peoples' Power 107 Notes 135 5. The AOCA in the Service of the State 143 Notes 166 6. The Erosion of the Church Body 173 Notes 195 7. "Unheard of—Not Even in Turkish Times": The Road to 1967 203 Notes 226 Epilogue 236 Notes 248 Bibliography 250 Archival sources 250 Central State Archive (AQSh): 250 Local State Archive of Korça (AShV Korçë) 250 The Archive of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (AMEPJ)The Archive of the Ministry of Interior (AMB): 250 Published documents 250 Secondary sources 251 Index 266