A joint declaration of understanding and collaboration between two centers of Albanian Orthodoxy in the United.
In March there are three very important anniversaries for our Church: March 8th is the 100th anniversary of the ordination of Theofan Noli as a priest. March 22nd is the 10th anniversary of the first Divine Liturgy in the Albanian language by Fr. Theofan and the founding of the St. George Albanian Orthodox Church in Boston. March 13th is the anniversary of the falling asleep of His Grace Theofan Noli (1965).
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On Sunday, March 9th a jubilant and festive Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the St. George Cathedral in Boston, Mass. U.S. It was lead by the two Albanian bishops of America, His Grace Nikoni (Liolin) and His Grace Ilia (Ketri). His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and all Albania was invited and participated as well.
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Fr. Artur Liolini spoke first about this anniversary and said in his remarks that this spiritual institution’s unbroken continuation of activity attests to the longsighted vision which Fan Noli had when he began the attempts for the autocephaly of the Albanian Orthodox Church of America.
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Following this, His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios greeted all those present in Albanian and in English and honored the memory and works of Archbishop Theofan. Later, His Grace Ilia and His Grace Nikoni, stood before all in attendance and read a joint declaration of understanding and collaboration between the two centers of Albanian Orthodoxy in the U.S.
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In his remarks, Bishop Ilia Ketri said that the progress of the Albanian Orthodox was also one of Noli’s dreams and called the signing of this declaration a continuation of the works and desires of Archbishop Noli for understanding, forgiveness, and collaboration.
Also, Archbishop Anastasios, His Grace Nikoni, and His Grace Ilia paid homage to Archbishop Theofan and put flowers at his photograph.
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After this, a festive lunch was spread for the occasion in the well-known restaurant “Pier 4” (which was opened by Antoni Athanas) and about 400 people attended. While March 22nd will mark the day of another celebration, in fact the whole year is considered festive and jubilant and will culminate in September with a gala-ball.
Translated and edited by Georgia Gilman
