500 years ago, the world changed.

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On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed a document to the door of a castle church in Germany. It was an invitation to an academic discussion, containing 95 theological points he wished to debate.

The “95 Theses” – as they are now called – condemned the corrupt practice of indulgences, promoted true repentance, and affirmed the Bible as the central religious authority. Luther was only one of many reformers around the world, but this event symbolized the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, a worldwide movement that had a profound effect on theology, language, culture, science, business, politics, and education. It left hardly any sphere of life untouched, truly changing the world.

One of the most important results of the Reformation was the translation of the Bible into vernacular tongues so that common people could read and be enlightened. This principle changed Albania forever, when the British and Foreign Bible Society began working on an Albanian translation at a time when no Albanian books were in circulation and when there were no Albanian schools and no accepted Albanian alphabet.

Not only is 2017 the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, being celebrated massively in Europe and around the world, but it is also a Jubilee Year for the Protestant Movement among the Albanians, with anniversaries such as:

• the 200th anniversary of the Albanian Bible translation project
• the 150th anniversary of the New Testament in the Albanian Gheg dialect
• the 125th anniversary of the original Evangelical Brotherhood established by Gjerasim Qiriazi
• the 125th anniversary of the first Albanian school for girls

You are invited!

In 2017, especially October, there will be many events in Albania, Kosovo, and Macedonia highlighting the Reformation: academic conferences, Bible expositions, book launches, musical concerts, dramatic readings, and theological forums. Both public and private institutions will join to co-sponsor various events, in many cities, libraries, universities, and churches. We hope you will keep October free and make plans to join us for some of the events. In April, a full calendar of events will be updated below.

Are you planning an event? Contact us so we can put it on the calendar!