We commemorate the holding of the first mass in the Albanian language and the establishment of the Albanian Orthodox Church of Saint George in Boston. The first mass in the Albanian language was held by Father Theofan Noli on March 22, 1908, in the hall of the “Knights of Honor”, in Boston, USA. “Divine Liturgy” translated by Fan Noli, sounded beautiful in Albanian and was understood by the present believers. That same day, the Albanians gathered in the “Feniks” hall and founded the Albanian Orthodox Church of Saint George. Saint George Cathedral in Boston was founded on March 22, 1908 and is the first Albanian Orthodox church in America. The initiator group for establishing the Saint George’s Cathedral consisted of Albanian patriots with high ideals of patriotism. Some of them were Nikolas Christopher, treasurer; George Toli, secretary; Filip Vasili, assistant secretary; Misto Millona; Harri Kaçka; Xhon Kozma; Kosta Racka, etc. The clergy who held masses in the Albanian language in this church were: father Theofan Noli, father Naum Çere, father Damian Angjeli, father Stath Melani, father Nikolas Kristofor, father Dhosi Katundi, at Thimi Theodhosi, father Vangjel Çamçe, father Vani Çani, father Krist Elli, father Artur Liolin, etc. (In the photo: Fan Noli after Divine Liturgy in Framingham, MA.)
Text: https://theAlbanianprofile.com/
Photo: © Xhoxhi L., personal archive
Graphic processing: AHCF
