Rafaela Prifti/
The brick house at 529 East Broadway, South Boston, Massachusetts, has been used for Sunday School classes since 1955 when it was acquired by the Diocese, though the School itself was organized in 1923 at the directive of Bishop Fan Noli. It is part of the historic church complex that in 1949 became Saint George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral to the excitement of the faithful and Albanians in and across the country. To this day, it is the seat of the Albanian Orthodox Church in America, known in Albanian as Kryekisha Orthodokse Shqiptare e Shën Gjergjit. Sunday school is part of Saint George’s legacy built on determination, resilience and the pursuit of educating the mind and the soul. Former students turned teachers give remarkable insights on the past history and the present values it holds for the community.
Linda (née Chako) Tochka was a student there during the 1960s and early 1970s. Like other members of the first generation American born of Albanian parents, going to Sunday classes, packed with kids, is woven in her childhood memories. She recalls dressing up early Sunday mornings as the Chakos, her grandparents, uncles, father and sister got ready for Church. Little kids rushed through the pews after the sermon, while Linda and her schoolmates gathered around the piano on the first floor of the Sunday School building as Mr. George Atwater instructed the class of liturgical hymns. Then, as now, classes are conducted during the liturgy with the students coming down from the Athanas Auditorium to receive Holy Communion.
Church and Sunday School go beyond worship and religious education. Children from preschool up to eight grade attend Sunday School where they receive a fundamental education in the Orthodox faith. “It is a testament to all the fiercely dedicated teachers and Sunday School families through the many generations, who clearly saw the importance of immersing the children of the community in the myriad lessons of our Orthodox faith,” says Linda. Indeed, Sunday School was an integral part of the very fabric of the community. Kristin Savage, former student and current teacher at Sunday School, appreciates it being “an integral part of my immediate and extended families’ lives. We participated weekly in liturgy and enjoyed time spent at events like the annual Rummage Sale, a big community event, which included amazing Albanian food for sale.” Kristin says that “after School, all friends, family and grandparents went to the “Albanian picnics.” Her account shows that education occurred organically in and around the community: at home, school and church, birthdays and weddings, playgrounds and street fares.
Legacy – Last year, the congregation marked the 100th anniversary of the Sunday School, established about 15 years after Fan Noli’s monumental first liturgy in the Albanian language. For over a century, the school has provided the children in the community with a fundamental education in the Orthodox faith. “It is a testament to all the fiercely dedicated teachers and Sunday School families through the many generations who clearly saw the importance of immersing the children of the community in the myriad lessons of our Orthodox faith, says Linda. She calls the first Albanian language liturgy delivered by Bishop Noli “a thrilling piece of St. George history to witness.” In all likelihood, her grandfather might well have witnessed that milestone moment for the Church, the community and indeed the nation.
The Albanian heritage, history and culture – Linda has seen first-hand the affection and the deep connection of her family members with the Albanian language. She remembers seeing stacks of newspapers Dielli and Liria in the household where she grew up. Linda’s description is remarkably vivid and warm. “My grandfather Anastas Chako, was born in Përmet in 1888 and moved here in early 1900s. He was a friend of Bishop Noli, as were my father and uncle Arthur, who eagerly anticipated the next edition of Dielli and Liria newspapers. I don’t think they ever threw them out, because there were piles of them neatly stacked near my grandfather’s chair. My father, Louis Chako, was also a close friend of Liria’s editor, Dhimitri “Trebicka” Nikola, an outstanding pillar of the community. In fact, the annual Liria picnic in September and the Flag Day celebration in November at Pier 4 were the social highlights of the community. At picnics, you could smell the peppers and shish-kebab on the grill even before you parked your car. I can still picture the uniquely Albanian scene of Father Terova of St. John the Baptist Church and Bill Gounaris, a long time St. George choir member, on his mandolin, singing folk songs with a passion that touched your heart.” Founded in 1941, South Boston, Liria/Liberty was a weekly paper of the Free Albania Organization, created by the group’s founder, Constantine Chekrezi. It was edited for another three decades by Dhimitri R. Nikolla. History of Albanians of America has shown that the Albanian language and culture have been taught and preserved through schools and the press.
Women’s History Month – This month’s celebrations reinforce the appreciation for the women of our community, “who have consistently stepped up to support, both financially and practically with their time and talents, through so many worthy endeavors that have benefited St. George and the community at large. We can’t possibly repay them, but perhaps we can try to rise to the occasion and attempt to emulate their selfless devotion to St. George in helping promote our culture and sense of responsibility to lift up every new generation,” says Linda. According to Fan Noli’s account, Daughters of St. George started in 1935. Linda praises the Daughters’ very popular cooking classes as wonderful examples of promoting our culinary culture to be passed down to young generation. She calls the Daughters “the backbone of Sunday School for their steadfast financial support and encouragement.”
Teachers, Educators and Students – School, which runs from October to early May, is getting ready for its end-of-the-year-celebration. Linda explains that “the event highlights students’ achievements and love of learning while forming lifelong bonds with their fellow students and teachers who will welcome them back to Sunday School in the fall. The program includes the student vs. congregation quiz, the award presentation followed by a cookout for all the congregation in the garden, if weather permits. Surely, the most anticipated part of the graduation program each year is the quiz where students compete with the congregation. They truly beam when they’re asked to help out the congregation when they “don’t know the answers.” The project was initiated by the late Father Arthur Liolin to showcase students’ learning in the course of the year.”
Practicing Lifelong Learning – To honor the gifted teacher and dedicated director of the institution, the George Atwater scholarship was founded. It is awarded annually to deserving former Sunday School students and altar servers. Linda, who has taught here for about two decades, credits Dr. Atwater’s “highly effective musical technique that taught children the words to not only liturgical hymns but long Biblical passages such as the Beatitudes which would have been much more difficult to memorize without the musical accompaniment.”
Kristin Savage appreciates “the wonderful teachers who dedicated themselves for many years and made learning about the faith memorable and special. One teacher helped increase participation in the church for girls by starting “a little sisterhood,” to bring candles into church and hold the Communion cloth. She sewed kerchiefs and aprons for the girls to wear. We have continued having girls participate in these ways.” She feels that “it has been very rewarding to help build the foundation of the church community, by instructing children in the Orthodox faith,” and the pleasant experience of yearlong “learning that occurs especially around holidays like Christmas, Lent and Pascha! Because when you’re teaching, you realize you are still learning yourself while having interactive learning about Jesus’ life, death, and Resurrection. It is a lifelong study and needs to be practiced.” She is excited about “making learning come alive by going to convent where the nuns make the beeswax candles and a wonderful visit to the Icon Museum recently.”
The New Generation – Kristin’s four sons participated in Sunday school and were altar servers faithfully each week for many years. The new families of Sunday School are mainly Albanians of the post 2000 generation of arrivals in the US. Today, Sunday School carries the weight of St. George’s history. Through many challenges and hardships, it honors its own proud legacy built around ethos and the understanding that a community, whose children pray and learn together, stays together.
Photos
The 2024 Sunday School Nativity scene with Bishop Nikodhim
2024 Sunday School graduation – Teachers in the back row are Lynn Phillips, Kristin Savage, Corinne Bresse and Linda Tochka
Linda with her grandparents Anastas and Llambrini Chako circa 1966
Boston Sunday School, Fiftieth Anniversary of the Albanian Orthodox Church in America 1908-1958
