There are no signs of tensions between the Orthodox Church and the communal authorities of the southern Albanian city of Përmet
easing. Greece has reacted strongly in defence of the rights of
Orthodox faithful, closing border checkpoints in Kapshtica and Kakavija
to Albanian citizens. Nikolas Kotrokoi, the Greek consul general in Aergirocastro, held a closed-door meeting with the mayor of Përmet, Gilberto Jace, to resolve the contentious issue involving Albania’s intention to build Përmet’s Palace of Culture on land which the Orthodox Church claims it owns.
The issue led to clashes between a group of clerics and local vigilantes a few days ago.
In a media statement after the meeting, the mayor stressed that violence will not be tolerated and that the issue can be resolved through dialogue. According to the mayor, the Greek consul apparently said that the church is independent and is free to make its own decisions. He also apparently added that it was not the right time to be making hasty decisions.
The Union for Human Rights Party, a party representing Albania’s Greek minority which forms part of the ruling Socialist-led coalition (the party won the 23 June elections) posted a video on its Facebook page, of the head of the Albanian Orthodox Church, the Archbishop of Tirana and Durazzo, Anastas Jannulatos, denouncing “violence against clergy and faithful and acts of vandalism and sacrilege against the Church of the Virgin Mary in Përmet’s Old Bazaar.”
The Archbishop contests the Court’s decision in 2002, not to acknowledge the Church’s ownership of the property. He claims the decision was taken on the basis of false evidence and accuses the authorities of committing acts of sacrilege against “a sacred place where divine liturgies have been celebrated for centuries.”
The Archbishop called for respect to be shown towards all holy places of all religious communities across the world, adding that the incidents in Përmet are “an offence against Orthodox faithful.”
Albanian media have given these events wide coverage but commentators have highlighted that the issue is not to do with religion but is the result of lingering disagreements over property ownership.
After the fall of communism, judicial disagreements over property ownership in Albania have become commonplace.