Albania is silent about the Archbishop. Why?

While in Greece, politicians, the media, and the public are expressing grief over Archbishop Janullatos' health condition, the reaction in Tirana is weak, if not non-existent.

This contrast is not simply a matter of culture or empathy, but is closely related to the history of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church and Albanian-Greek relations.

By 1992, after 25 years of communist atheism, where religions were banned and churches were destroyed, Albanians expected their archbishop to be a figurehead, in line with the spirit of autocephaly proclaimed by Fan Noli in 1922.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Istanbul entrusted the restoration of the Orthodox Church to Anastasios Yanullatos. The public vow was made that he would be a temporary solution until a local leader could be found. However, over the years, the temporary nature was interpreted as “temporary like all people in this world.”

For some, the arrival of the archbishop was not seen as a help or contribution to the revival of faith, but as a move that strengthened Greek influence in Albania. This sensitivity, reinforced by issues such as church property and tensions over the Greek minority, has cast a shadow over Janullatos' work, despite his undeniable achievements in organizing the Orthodox Church.

Janullatos has played an important role in rebuilding the religious and social infrastructure of the Orthodox Church in Albania, establishing schools, hospitals and aid centers. But for many Albanians, he has failed to become a figure symbolizing the Church’s autocephaly. On the contrary, his strong support from the Greek state authorities has made him appear more like a representative of Greek interests than a spiritual leader of all Orthodox Albanians.

In every visit of Greek officials to Tirana, the meeting with the Archbishop has been the first item on the agenda.

Even in public gestures, His Holiness has taken care to convey the message that he reacts strongly when dealing with Orthodox believers who belong to or identify with the Greek minority (remember the visit to Fredi Beleri's prison, the reactions to the murder of a young minority man in Himara...).

Today, politicians in Tirana are hesitant to even comment on his health.

Five presidents of Albania (Berisha, Meidani, Moisiu, Topi, Nishani), despite Athens' constant requests, did not grant Albanian citizenship to His Beatitude.

Only on December 24, 2017, President Ilir Meta, after 25 years of residence in Albania, granted Albanian citizenship to the Archbishop, later saying in an interview that he had promised this to the Greek ambassador in Tirana that he would not leave without achieving something!

Another moment that has marked the perception of Janullatos in Albania is his stance during the Kosovo War in 1999.

He did not take a clear stance against Serbian aggression and massacres of Albanians in Kosovo, preferring to speak of “peace” and “dialogue,” an approach that was seen as an escape from the brutal reality of the genocide against Albanians. This stance has further contributed to his perception as a figure who does not represent the national values ??and sensitivities of Orthodox Albanians.

Despite the controversies and historical divisions, the health of every person, even more sensitive when he is a religious leader, remains an important issue for his community and beyond. Being a figure who has played an important role in the reconstruction of the Orthodox Church in Albania, the missing wish for Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos is: a speedy recovery and a speedy return among the flock of believers!