the Web Editors

Albania was perhaps the most closed society in the world during the Cold War, with absolutely ruthless persecution of all religion. Churches were destroyed in every corner of that country. Clergy were eliminated. Worship was outlawed. And enforcement was brutal.

When Communism fell, and the country opened for the first time in decades, the Albanian church began a miraculous process of rebirth. We heard the moving story of the Albania Orthodox Church, rebuilding countless church structures, but even more importantly, restoring faith in the hearts of its people. I've known its leader, Archbishop Anastasios, from past encounters at the World Council of Churches, and he surely is a saint. The revival of religious faith in Albania and its compassionate service to those in need is a magnificent story of the church's witness, and the Spirit's power.

Was Christopher Columbus on a Religious Crusade? One of the Many Things Pundits Don't Get About Occupy Wall Street. Getting Religion: 10 Best Films on Faith. Pastors Say Mormons Not Christians, But Defend Candidate Against Attacks. Arab Fall, Arab Fail: Coptic Christians slaughtered in Egypt. Phony Christian "Values Voters" Event Turns Into Free-Range Gay Bashing and Hypocrisy. And "Why I Went To Occupy Portland: It Was The Christian Thing To Do."

USA Today's religion reporter Cathy Lynn Grossman has a great post this morning looking at coverage of the spiritual import of the #OccupyWallStreet protests from the perspective of several religious commentators, including Catholic writer/professor Tom Beaudoin and Jewish writer/actor Jake Goodman.