An anachronistic decision by the Patriarchate of Istanbul When His Beatitude Anastasios Janullatos arrived in Albania, the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania was taking its first steps toward revival. His Beatitude Janullatos himself came to help with this renewal, since, as a consequence of the atheist terror of the communist dictatorship, all religions in Albania had to start from scratch, lacking even the most basic things, beginning first and foremost with the absence of “men of God,” the clergy. Indeed, this was the main reason for Janullatos’s arrival, as well as that of foreign clerics of other religions. One of the [continues outside the frame]. Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, he was appointed Archbishop of All Albania, was also the preparation of Albanian clerics. In this he has achieved his goal. Now in many Orthodox churches [continues outside the frame]. Janullatos, for which he deserves thanks. Now, when the number of Albanian clerics is increasing and the conditions for conducting religious rites are steadily improving, a decision has come from the Patriarchate of Istanbul which, at first glance, draws attention for its anachronism. According to this decision, three clerics of Greek nationality are being appointed to the vacant metropolitan posts in the cities of Korçë, Vlorë and Gjirokastër, when the more appropriate course would have been to appoint new Albanian clerics. This makes one [continues outside the frame]. able to free themselves from the ideas that also inspired the late Sebastianos, who exploited Orthodoxy for chauvinistic purposes. I do not believe they have forgotten the wave of protests caused by Janullatos’s appointment as Archbishop of Albania, or the problems that the questionable actions of some Greek cleric have caused in relations between the two countries. Janullatos’s own refusal to bless the metropolitans appointed by the Patriarchate, who are of his own nationality, shows once again that those who [continues outside the frame]. main duties of His Beatitude Janullatos, who, despite appearing to violate the Statute of the Albanian Church, ... appointed Archbishop of All Albania, was also to prepare in many Orthodox churches religious ceremonies are conducted by Albanian clerics, whose preparation is also due in part to ... in the cities of Korçë, Vlorë and Gjirokastër, three clerics of Greek nationality are being appointed, when it would have been more appropriate to appoint new Albanian clerics. This makes one think that those at the head of the Patriarchate of Istanbul are not ... the relations between the two countries, caused by the questionable actions of some Greek cleric. that those issuing orders from Istanbul,

From information sources, we learned with indignation that the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Istanbul, disregarding the Autocephaly of the Albanian Orthodox Church and completely violating its Statute of 1929, through which it recognized the Autocephaly of the Albanian Orthodox Church in 1936, consecrated three Greek bishops a few days ago for three dioceses in Albania, without the approval of the Church and the Albanian State. What is driving the Patriarchate of Istanbul to cast aside the Autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Albania after many decades and to usurp its leadership with Greek bishops and archbishops, when it itself accepted it through a Tomos in 1936?! We regard such an act as an [continues outside the frame] regard it as interference not only in the rights of the Autocephalous Albanian Church, but also in the internal affairs of the Albanian State. How can it be explained that the Patriarchate of Istanbul thinks only of appointing emissaries of Greek Orthodoxy in Albania, and why does it not send them to other former communist countries of the East? This is not the first time the Patriarchate has tried to place the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania under the clutches of the Hellenic Church. But times have changed. All Orthodox believers, the people and the Albanian State will never allow the victories of the Orthodox Church of Albania, secured through the efforts and blood of the finest sons of our Church, to be trampled underfoot. The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania is called by the entire Albanian people the “National Autocephalous Church of Albania.” It is sacred to all Albanians, whatever their faith, because of its great contribution to national unity and brotherhood.

Milan, three Albanians arrested On the streets of Milan, when the traffic lights turn red, some children rush in front of tourists’ cars. They are Albanian children begging for alms. It is hard to refuse them a thousand lire, and very hard to imagine their lives. The report was given by the TG5 news program on the Italian television channel Rete5. After an investigation lasting more than a year, the Milan police squad reconstructed the lives of five young Albanian children and arrested the three people exploiting them, on charges of enslaving them and illegally bringing minors into Italy. Recruited in Albania, with the approval of their families, who receive a share of the earnings, the children slept in parks, ate once a day and had to collect up to 200,000 lire by evening. At the end of the workday, the oldest one collected the money and took it to the apartment where the bosses lived. There, police officers found bags of money and the clothes the children wore. Every morning, before going to work, in Milan, together with 40 others found by police in earlier operations in the fight against the exploitation of Albanian child slaves. Another such operation was carried out just a few days ago, also in Milan, during which fourteen Albanians were arrested, also accused of setting up prostitution, rape and other charges.

Another lightning raid by Italian police has led to the discovery of a prostitution operation run by Albanians and the arrest of 8 people, all of them Albanian. This time the city of Siena was the scene of the operation. They exploited 10 women, forcing them to work as prostitutes through various forms of violence. The operation, codenamed “Breaking the Silence,” ended with the arrest of Mërgim Haka, 29, Argjend Nano, 26, Artan Jonuzi, 22, Agim Kacoka and four accomplices. They deceived their fellow countrywomen in Albania by... Continued on p. 3

The 7 parties meet for the third time Invitation to the government: take a seat at our table P. 2 Unity, Nanodhetasi of pasta P. 2

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