Rafaela Prifti/
Daughter’s of St. George hoped earnestly that the first In memoriam service of Father Liolin would be a tribute of appreciation and gratitude for their beloved pastor at the St. George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral in Boston last Sunday. He had guided in prayer, had baptized, married and did funeral services for generations of families. It was almost an instinctive reaction that the large communal family of the faithful, who he had served for 50 years, set out to host a luncheon for the immediate family, “especially Margaret, priftëresha, and the children,” said Lisa Sotir from the Daughters of St. George. “Father Liolin was our priest for decades, but he was their father and husband. They gave up so much of him to us. They’ll be in the community, so that our church would thrive,” she explained. As the teachings tell us, gratitude is a simple yet most powerful act we can do for each other.
The liturgy at Church carried special significance, as Father Juxhin (Shkurti), the new priest, delivered his first service on the heels of the ordaination just the previous week. While the timing may feel serendipitous, the decadeslong work by Father Liolin and the diocese are recognized by the community. After the liturgy, over one hundred people went downstairs in the newly renovated hall. David Kosta, Lay Chairman of the St. George Advisory Board, describes it as lovely tribute to Father Liolin.
To help with the narration of his story, the Daughters had brought dahlias, Father’s favorite, that decorated every window and table, they served lakror, another favorite of his, ethnic desserts, fruit, salads and so on. The new priftëresha Livia Shkurti had prepared the traditional grurë for the memorial. Pictures of Father were on display throughout the church halls, a video feed and photo montage with the family ran on two TV screens while, in the Reception Room played a documentary about Fan Noli and Father Liolin.
Evans Liolin, son of the family, speaking on behalf of the Liolin family, gave “a hearty thank you to all who celebrated my father on his one-year memorial at St. George Cathedral. We are equally grateful to have spent quality time with many of you, nearly a year ago. Dad loved his adoptive community as much as his biological children. Collectively, we share our father’s appreciation for the arts, music, scholarship, and excellence in all its forms. So, it is with great honor that we wish, “I përjetshëm Kujtimi” for our father. “
At one particular moment, Evans recalled how at home the Liolins would have to stop what they were doing to join Father Liolin as he led them spontaneously into “Për Shumë vjet” at meals, house gatherings, and holiday guests. At the first memorial of Father’s passing, Evans said he was overcome “by a surprisingly gentle, yet unifying rendition of “Për Shumë Vjet, sung by everyone in attendance. Bravo, St. George…!”