Greek in Albania

Introduction / History

Greeks are the descendants of the migrants from the Balkan Peninsula who came to Russia partly in the eighteenth century but mostly in the nineteenth century. This migration was the result of the political situation in the Balkans and the Russian-Turkish wars, leading to considerable movement of the population. The Christian population, oppressed and mercilessly robbed by the government of the Ottoman empire, saw in Russia their liberator from the centuries-old Turkish oppression. They left their homes and followed the Russian army in masses.

In the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774, the Greek rebels from Greece fought on the Russian side, and after the war, a considerable part of them settled in the Crimea. By the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Greek settlements had lost their military importance. The Greeks who lived in the steppe districts in the Crimea and on the coast used the Tatar language (they were called Greeks-Tatars). The other part, which lived in the mountain regions, preserved their own language, which was a dialect of the modern Greek language. This group was called "Greeks-Hellens."

Ethnic Greeks were under the control of the Turkish-based Ottoman Empire for many years. They were in various parts of the empire as indentured workers, including what is now Albania. By the early 20th century, the Ottoman Empire was beginning to crumble. In 1913, the Ottomans lost control of parts of southern Europe, and Albania became a newly liberated state. Greeks were among the ethnic groups. They are the largest ethnic minority in Albania.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Ethnic Greeks have contributed to Albanian society in many ways. They have served as academics, public officials, athletes, entertainers, writers, military men and in religion.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Greeks in Albania retain their traditional Greek Orthodox Church.

What Are Their Needs?

Greeks in Albania face a couple of challenges as an ethnic minority. They are having trouble retaining their culture and language. Also, large construction companies are trying to take large portions of land, some of which belongs to ethnic Greeks.

Prayer Points

Pray for a Jesus revival in the Greek Orthodox Church that will draw ethnic Greeks into the loving arms of Jesus.
Pray for Greeks in Albania to put Jesus Christ above all religious institutions.
Pray for Greek disciplers to disciple others in Albania.

Text Source:   Joshua Project