SAINT GEORGE CATHEDRAL/
ALBANIAN ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE IN AMERICA/
Boston, Massachsuetts/
Dr. Gjon Bucaj/
Pan Albanian Federation of America-VATRA/
Dear Dr. Bucaj,
On this 50th Year of Remembrance of the Repose of Fan Stylian Noli in 1965, please accept our profound greetings to you and to all your colleagues of the Pan-Albanian Federation of America – VATRA. It is fitting that on March 13th – the precise anniversary day of his passing into eternity – VATRA gathers to reflect and hear of the remarkable contributions that Fan Noli had made to enhance the knowledge of and image of our shared inheritance.
Fan Noli served as one of the esteemed founders of VATRA. Thus, we stand in reverence, gratitude and admiration of the awesome legacy that he made in such diverse fields as religion, literature, history, journalism, scripture, music, poetry and statecraft. In many ways, he became a “Man for All Seasons.” As such, by his extraordinary life and prodigious works he continues to serve as an embodiment of all that our people value and hold sacred. Indeed, his inheritance has become an Icon of the Albanian National Identity and an inspiring role model for generations to come: IKON i KOMBIT.
Further, to gather during the month of March enables us to recall and honor him with humility. It was in the month of March that he was ordained as the first Albanian Orthodox priest to begin his ambitious life-long mission. In March, he established his first church in Boston that reached into the homeland. And it was in March fifty years ago that he entered into eternity.
Accept our heartfelt congratulations that VATRA and all honorable compatriots convene to revivify the immortal inheritance offered to us and to humankind by Fan Stylian Noli. May his memory ever be eternal.
I perjetshem qofte kujtimi i tij!
With prayerful respect,
Very Rev. Arthur E. Liolin