TIRANA, Oct. 27 – Albania’s Autocephalous Orthodox Church has sent a protest letter to state authorities after a Catholic mass was held by three Italian Catholic priests and a group of tourists at the Byzantine-era Church of the Cross in Labova, a site under the care Institute for Cultural Monuments due to its historic nature.
The Orthodox Church said it was not made aware of the event and that the institute has violated the law which says the state can only use a place of worship for major needs and interests, upon having been granted approval by the Albanian Orthodox Church.
The Ministry of Culture said an investigation had shown the prayers were the private initiative of a group of tourists and were not tied or permitted by officials who happened to be visiting at the same time to inspect on-going renovation work on the church.
