Orthodox Church of Saint Athanasius vandalized in southern Albania

An Orthodox church in southern Albania has been vandalized, raising renewed concerns over attacks against Orthodox religious monuments in the country, 35 years after the end of religious persecution and the restoration of religious freedom.

The Church of Saint Athanasius in the village of Sinica, in the Korçë region, was targeted by unidentified individuals who entered the building and damaged icons and other objects inside.

According to reports, the perpetrators also poured cement onto the floor of the church.

The circumstances of the incident appear to indicate that theft was not the motive. Instead, concerns have been raised that the vandalism may have been directed specifically against the Orthodox character of the site and could undermine peaceful religious coexistence.

This is not the first time that damage to Orthodox churches and monasteries has been reported in Albania. In the past, the Albanian Human Rights Committee had denounced incidents of damage and desecration affecting a total of ten churches and monasteries, most of them located in southern Albania.

The latest incident once again raises concerns about the protection of Orthodox religious and cultural…