Nel Centenario di istituzione dell’Eparchia di Lungro (1919-2919). Aspetti storici di una presenza neo-bizantina nell’Occidente Cattolico (secc. XV-XX)

This year marks the centenary of the Establishment of the Eparchy of Lungro (1919-2019), a charismatic, spiritual, and sacramental organisation with a specific creed and an articulated hierarchy, in accordance with Eastern Byzantine tradition. This essay, written on the occasion of this happy event, seeks to retrace the fundamental chronology of the Arbëreshë communities' presence in continental Italy from the 15th century onwards. After the establishment of this Eparchy, directly subject to the Holy See, they were incorporated into the diocese of Lungro. The community-oriented approach to worship manifests a religious specificity that is undoubtedly of Byzantine origin, characterised by the worshippers' active presence and participation. This led to the achievement of ecclesiastical autonomy, guided by enlightened bishops and papádes who had a garrison of religion and culture in the "Collegio Corsini (1732) - S. Adriano (1794)". In this situation we find the most interesting phase of the religious life of Albanians in Italy which, as mentioned, is based on a profound ethical-religious tradition and living liturgical customs, inherited from the Byzantine land of Albania.