New York, june 5, 2025
Petition: Honoring the Founders of Albanian Orthodox Autocephaly
Recognizing Historical Contributions: The Pivotal Roles of Kristofor Kisi, Jerotheu, Noli, and Xhuvani
His Beatitude Kristofor (Kristofor Kisi), the first canonical Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania of the Autocephalous Albanian Orthodox Church, together with His Beatitude Jerotheu (key figures in the consecration of Fan Noli in 1923), His Beatitude Fan Noli, a theologian, statesman, and cultural icon, and His Beatitude Visarion Xhuvani, a central figure in the autocephaly movement and Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church from 1929 to 1936, were instrumental in establishing a national church free from foreign ecclesiastical oversight. The autocephaly, officially recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople on April 12, 1937, marked a defining moment in Albanian history, affirming not only Orthodox religious identity but also the centrality of the Albanian language in liturgical practices and the strengthening of national consciousness. Kristofor’s steadfast leadership navigated the turbulent challenges of World War II and the subsequent communist persecution, culminating in his tragic death in 1958 under circumstances that remain mysterious and suggest political elimination. Jerotheu, Noli, and Xhuvani played essential roles in structuring the new church hierarchy and articulating a theological and national vision that solidified the institutional foundations of autocephaly during its formative years.
His Beatitude Fan Noli, a polyglot and visionary, was pivotal in linking Albanian Orthodoxy with national identity. His translations of liturgical texts into Albanian, including the Divine Liturgy, made worship accessible to believers in their native language, fostering a sense of cultural ownership. As a statesman, Noli’s brief tenure as Prime Minister in 1924 reflected his commitment to Albanian sovereignty, while his literary works, such as translations of Shakespeare and his own poetry, elevated Albanian culture on the global stage. His Beatitude Visarion Xhuvani, elected Primate at the 1922 Berat Congress where autocephaly was declared, was a driving force in promoting an independent Albanian Orthodox Church. Despite his consecration as a bishop in 1925 by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia in Kotor, his leadership was not recognized by Constantinople, which demanded his resignation as a condition for granting autocephaly to the Albanian Orthodox Church in 1937. The diplomatic efforts of Kisi and Xhuvani, including negotiations with the Patriarchate beginning in 1935, were crucial in paving the way for autocephaly recognition. Their translations of theological texts and promotion of liturgy in Albanian reinforced the church’s national character.
These ecclesiastical figures represent more than the establishment of a religious institution; they embody a resolute stand against cultural assimilation and foreign domination. Recognizing their contributions is an ethical and historical imperative for those who value Albanian sovereignty and identity. The reinterment of their remains in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ would serve as a powerful symbol of this recognition, embedding Albania’s historical narrative within a sacred and publicly accessible space. Similar acts of veneration are observed in other nations: for instance, the Romanian Orthodox Church honors Saint Andrew, the apostle and patron saint of Romania, with a shrine in the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, where his relics symbolize spiritual and national unity. Likewise, the Greek Orthodox Church venerates Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos in the church bearing his name, where his remains are enshrined, embodying his role as a foundational figure in Greek Orthodox identity. These examples underscore the universal significance of honoring founding figures in sacred spaces, offering a model for Albania.
Aspiration for Historical Agency: An Exercise in National Self-Determination
The aspiration to shape our own historical narrative transcends religious boundaries and touches the core of Albanian national identity. For much of its history, Albania’s story has been shaped by external forces—be they colonial powers or ideological impositions—often marginalizing the figures who forged its spiritual and national independence. The reinterment of His Beatitude Kisi, His Beatitude Jerotheu, His Beatitude Noli, and His Beatitude Xhuvani in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ represents a strategic opportunity to reclaim historiographical agency. It is an affirmation that Albanians possess both the authority and the duty to honor those who defended their religious and national autonomy, independent of external power.
Inaugurated in 2012, the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, which also serves as the final resting place of Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos (interred on January 30, 2025), stands as a monument to the revival of Orthodox Christianity in Albania after decades of state-imposed atheism. Placing the remains of Kisi, Jerotheu, Noli, and Xhuvani within this cathedral would create a continuity between the origins of autocephaly and its contemporary revitalization, establishing a tangible link between historical legacy and modern renewal. Such an act would underscore Albania’s commitment to not only acknowledging its history but also actively preserving it through deliberate acts of commemoration. As Archbishop Anastasios himself has stated, “The past is not a burden to be discarded, but a foundation upon which we must build, guiding us toward a future rooted in faith and identity.” This sentiment ties the sacrifices of the autocephaly’s founders to the church’s ongoing mission.
Ecclesiastical and National Significance
The reinterment of these four bishops in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ carries profound implications across several dimensions:
Honoring Foundational Figures: His Beatitude Kristofor Kisi, His Beatitude Jerotheu, His Beatitude Noli, and His Beatitude Visarion Xhuvani were pioneers in securing the independence and identity of the Albanian Orthodox Church. Honoring them within the cathedral would constitute an act of gratitude for their sacrifices, serving as a perennial source of inspiration for future generations of believers.
Strengthening Collective Memory: As a spiritual and cultural epicenter, the cathedral provides a platform for educating future generations about the history of autocephaly. The presence of the founders’ remains would serve as a tangible reminder of the struggle for religious and national sovereignty. To formalize this education, the cathedral could install commemorative plaques detailing each bishop’s contributions, establish a permanent exhibition on the history of autocephaly, and organize guided school visits to engage young Albanians with their heritage.
Symbol of Unity: Following the passing of Archbishop Anastasios Janullatos, a transitional period for the Albanian Orthodox Church, this act would foster unity within the Orthodox community and the broader Albanian population, reinforcing a shared sense of purpose and identity. Symbolic gestures, such as the canonization of Saint Kosmas Aitolos in Greece in 2010, have unified communities during ecclesiastical transitions by rallying believers around shared historical figures.
Redressing Historical Injustices: His Beatitude Kristofor Kisi, in particular, endured persecution and met a tragic end under the communist regime. The reinterment of his remains in the cathedral would represent an act of restorative justice, honoring him—and, by extension, his colleagues—as martyrs for faith and nation. A precedent exists in the reinterment of political prisoners’ remains from communist-era mass graves in Albania in 2016, an act that restored dignity to victims and prompted national reflection.
The proposal to reinter His Beatitude Kristofor Kisi, His Beatitude Jerotheu, His Beatitude Noli, and His Beatitude Visarion Xhuvani in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ stems from a conscientious recognition of Albania’s historical legacy and a resolute commitment to shaping and preserving it autonomously. This act would honor the founders of Albanian Orthodox Autocephaly, strengthen the collective memory of the Albanian people, and symbolize the continuity of faith and national identity. Within the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, a monument to Albania’s spiritual renaissance, the remains of these bishops would stand as a living testament to their sacrifices and a perennial source of inspiration for future generations. By undertaking this initiative, Albanians affirm their agency in crafting their historical narrative, ensuring that these figures occupy their rightful place at the heart of the nation’s heritage.
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