Father Arthur Liolin, a prominent figure of the Orthodox Church and of the Albanian-American community, has passed away. The Metropolis of Korça declared that “It is with deep sadness that we received the news of the death of Father Arthur Liolin. It is a great loss for his family, the Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America and for the entire Albanian community in America”.

Arthur Liolin was born in 1943, in New York to Albanian parents from Boboshtica of Korça. He was chancellor of the Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese based in Boston, and was esteemed a worthy successor of Fan Noli, the founder of this Church.

He completed his higher studies in 1967 for Art History (Middle Ages and Byzantium) at Princeton University, where he graduated summa cum laude. He also carried studies at the “Albert Schweitzer” Institute in Switzerland in the program: “The Crisis in Western Civilization,” which includes a series of economic, cultural, historical and philosophical studies.

Father Arthur Liolin has written many articles about the Albanian issue in the newspaper “Dielli” /The Sun/, published in the US, and further in various magazines such as “Liria” /Freedom/, “Illyria”, “Koha Jonë” /Out Time/, etc.

In 1970, he was ordained a priest in Boston, where he served the Albanian-American community. He has organized the Library of Fan Noli, at the Cathedral of St. George in Boston. In 1975 he was elected Chancellor of the Albanian Orthodox Archbishopric in the US.

 In 1991, Father Liolion made the most famous trip of his life, where he celebrated Holy Mass in 22 cities of Albania.

/a.p./