Religious freedom for the Greek Minority in Albania, state interference for the Turkish Minority in Western Thrace
While the Greek minority in Albania is free to elect its religious leader without state interference, the Turkish minority in Western Thrace continues to face restrictions imposed by the Greek state, which prevents them from selecting their own mufti.
Election of the New Archbishop in Albania
The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania has announced that the election of the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania will take place on March 16, 2025, the second Sunday of Great Lent. The new Archbishop will succeed Anastasios, who recently passed away and played a crucial role in rebuilding the Albanian Orthodox Church after the fall of the communist regime.
According to himara.gr, the election process will be conducted transparently and in accordance with the Church’s constitution. The vote will take place at the Synodal Center following the Holy Liturgy to ensure stability in the Church’s spiritual and administrative leadership.
The election marks a new chapter for the Albanian Orthodox community. Among the strongest candidates for the position is Metropolitan Ioannis of Korçë. The vote will be carried out by the Holy Synod members, including:
Metropolitan Astios of Berat
Metropolitan Ioannis of Durrës and Korçë
Metropolitan Dimitrios of Argyrokastro
Metropolitan Nikolaos of Apollonia and Fier
Metropolitan Antonios of Elbasan
Metropolitan Nathanail of Amandia
Metropolitan Anastasios of Krujë
A Stark Contrast: Religious Rights in Albania vs. Greece
The Greek Orthodox minority in Albania enjoys full autonomy in electing its religious leaders without state intervention. Similarly, the Greek Orthodox community in Türkiye maintains this right, as the election of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople takes place within the community’s own hierarchy. This practice is considered a fundamental aspect of religious freedom and minority rights.
However, the situation for the Turkish Muslim minority in Western Thrace is drastically different. The Greek government systematically interferes with the religious autonomy of the Turkish community, rendering the Mufti and Grand Mufti institutions practically powerless. Instead of allowing the minority to elect its own religious leaders, the Greek state appoints "trustee muftis," undermining the community’s self-governance. This policy directly violates both the European Convention on Human Rights and the Treaty of Lausanne.
Despite changes in government, figures such as Yorgos Kalancis, the longstanding General Secretary of the Greek Ministry of Education, Religion, and Sports, continue to impose state control over the Turkish minority’s religious and educational institutions. This persistent interference disregards the community’s will and shapes these institutions in ways that contradict both Islamic principles and international law.
Unlike Greece, neither Albania, Türkiye, nor other Balkan nations impose such restrictions on their religious minorities, making Greece’s policies a notable exception in the region.
