Father Arthur Liolin, chancellor of the Boston Orthodox Church, one of the most prominent figures of the Albanian-American community, has passed away at the age of 80. The news was announced by the Metropolis of Korça through a post on social networks.
Father Artur Liolin was born in New York in 1943 to Albanian parents from Boboshtic in Korça. He is considered as the man who embodies the attributes of a very reputable person in the Albanian diaspora of the USA. He was recently chancellor of the Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese based in Boston and is considered a worthy successor of Fan Noli, the founder of this church.
Father Arturi was married to the priest Margarita and they have three children: Evans, Elena and Emilia.
He completed his higher studies in 1967 for Art History (Middle Ages and Byzantium) at Princeton University, where he graduated with (Summa cum laude). He also studied at the “Albert Schweitzer” Institute in Switzerland in the program: “Crisis in Western Civilization,” which includes a series of economic, cultural, historical and philosophical researches.
Father Arturi has written many articles about the Albanian issue in the newspaper “Dielli”, and further in various magazines such as “Liria”, Illyria”, “Koha Jonë” etc. In 1970, he was ordained a priest in Boston, where he served the Albanian-American people. He organized the Fan Noli Library near St. George’s Cathedral in Boston. In 1975 he was appointed Chancellor of the Albanian Orthodox Bishopric of America. In 1991 Father Arturi made the most famous trip of his life, where he celebrated mass in 22 cities of Albania.
