Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America
Introduction
The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America is considered to be an Orthodox Christian Church. It is the spiritual successor of the ecclesiastical Western Illyricum, the Holy Illyria, of early Christianity and the early church. This church underwent a series of persecutions and political struggles in the Balkan area.
The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America Church was organized by Dr. Fan S. Noli in Boston in 1908. Dr. Fan S. Noli was ordained in 1908 and elected Bishop by his people. Bishop Noli returned to Albania to lead his country to fight for freedom and spent time organizing Albanian congregations in other European countries. Bishop Noli returned to America in 1930 and continued his leadership of the Albanian Orthodox Church in America until his death on March 13, 1965.
The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America is a part of SCOBA (Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox bishops in the Americas) which was established in 1960. The purpose of SCOBA is to bring the canonical hierarchs of the Orthodox jurisdictions in America together.
History
The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America was formed after the destruction of the Church of Albania in 1967. It was the American Albanians who formed The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America, which now belong to the OCA, Orthodox Christian Fellowship, and the Albanian Archdiocese. There are two parishes, one in Chicago and the other in South Boston, Massachusetts. The Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America (SCOBA) is an Eastern Orthodox organization. It helps supports the different Eastern Orthodox Christian jurisdictions to be found in America. It is a clearinghouse for educational, charitable, and missionary work done in America. The Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America are the archbishops, metropolitan bishops, and bishops of the Orthodox Churches in both North and South America. They are in communion with the ancient Greek Orthodox Patriarchates of Constantinople, which is today’s Istanbul, Turkey, Antioch, which is today’s Damascus, Syria, and Alexandria, which is in Egypt, and Jerusalem, including those who communion with them.
The Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese of America is the spiritual descendant of the ancient Ecclesiastical Western Illyricum or the Holy Illyra, of the early Christian churches. There was a close relationship with Rome and Constantinople until the Moslem Turks over ran Albania in 1478 -1479. Half of the population became Moslems and a small minority remained divided between the Roman Christianity in the North and the Greek Christians who were loyal to Constantinople in the south. There were four centuries of oppression, revolts in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Albania became independent and its people demanded a church independent of Constantinople.
Many Albanians immigrated to America and The Russian Greek Orthodox Catholic Church in America set up the Albanian dioceses under an Albanian archimandrite administrator, in 1908. Theophan (Fan) Stylian Noli established an Albanian speaking church in America. It was in 1923 when he founded the Orthodox Chuch of Albania after Albania’s independence at the end of World War I. Theophan Noli became the first bishop of an independent Albanian Rite Church. November 21, 1923 Theophan Noli was consecrated in the Korche Cathedral in Albania and the Archbishop. 1953, Theophan Noli moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he bought a house and here, he died at the age of 83 on March 13, 1965.
Belief
Believers within the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America are Orthodox Christians who believe in a single God, who is three and one; The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
They believe man was originally created perfect, and only through his own actions embraced evil through disobedience to God. They believe because man fell through his own actions he is condemned to go to Hell (Hades) when he dies.
They also believe that from Adam to John the Baptist, all men are separated from God. They believe it is Jesus, who Himself was Perfect Man and Perfect God united, that concluded the separation.
The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America believes Jesus partook in humanity and His human nature was changed allowing human beings to partake in the divine nature.
They believe salvation belongs to all mankind and membership in the Orthodox Church is not required. They believe salvation refers to the process of being saved from that of separation from God. rather than about breaking a set of rules. The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America believes sin is created when any behavior prevents a believer from coming close to God. The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America believes sin is considered an illness that needs to be healed.
The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America believes that there is nothing that a person can do to earn entrance into Heaven. They believe it is a gift from God. They believe the ultimate purpose is to achieve union with God and is seldom reached by man. They believe only a few of the greatest saints have achieved this goal.
Their church relies upon tradition, the Bible (which is not interpreted literally), the creed, and the decrees of the Seven Ecumenical Councils, the writings of the Church Fathers, Orthodox laws or canons, liturgical books, and icons. They believe the Holy Spirit works through history to reveal truth to members of the church, so the church can know the truth.
The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America believes the Virgin Mary is the Theotokos, the birth giver of God. They believe Mary was consecrated as a child around three to serve in the temple as a temple virgin. They believe the High Priest, Zachariah carried Mary into the Holy of Holies so she would become the ark in which God would take form. The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America believes Mary was twelve when it was decided she would marry. They believe Joseph was a close relative, an uncle or cousin, and a widower, who allowed Mary to retain her virginity. The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America believes Mary surrendered herself to the Will of God and allowed Christ to take form within her. They believe Mary was sinless. The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America does not accept the concept of the Immaculate Conception.
The central theme for the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America, as with all Orthodox Churches, is the Resurrection of Christ. They believe Jesus Christ, was the Son of God, they believe Jesus was crucified and died. They believe He descended into Hades where He rescued all the souls there. They believe Jesus rose from the dead and saved all mankind, released mankind from the bonds of Hell and then came back to live as a man and as God.
The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America believes Baptism is done by full immersion. They believe it is a sacrament where sins are cancelled and a person becomes united to the body of Christ by becoming a member of the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America Church. Baptism is considered as bringing death to a believer, who directly participates in the crucifixion and burial of Christ through the baptismal process. They believe there is a rebirth into new life in Christ by participating in His Resurrection. Infant baptism is normally done shortly after birth.
The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America believes the Eucharist is the focal point of Orthodox Christianity. They believe the bread and wine are considered to be the authentic Body and Blood of Christ Jesus. Only the baptized, Orthodox Christians may receive Communion. They believe they must be prepared by fasting and prayers. The priest of the church of the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America administers the Eucarist with a spoon directly into the mouth of those who receive communion. Repentance is an important part of the preparation for receiving the Eucharist by the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America Church.
Those who have committed sins and repent of them and desire to reconcile themselves to God must confess their sins to God before an icon of Jesus in the presence of a priest. The priest is to be a witness and prays for the forgiveness of God who confirms that forgiveness with a blessing. Since it is believed that a sin is an illness, a penance is given to those who have spiritual illness that require treatment.
They believe all saints are alive in heaven. They believe Saints are to be revered and are considered as brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, and they ask saints for prayers. It is believed saints can intercede for their salvation. The saints are loved and worshiped, but not above God. Anyone who worships a saint, relic or icons above God will be excommunicated by the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America.
The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America Church believes icons are full of symbolism that communicates more than just the identity of the person. They believe it was Luke the Evangelist who first painted the Virgin Mary with the Christ child. They believe their icons to be accurate. The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America Church do not consider Icons to be graven images or idols.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America: ” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2006.<https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2560,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006, January) “Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America: .” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2560,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006) “Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America: .” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2560, (accessed).
