On 21 November 1923, Fan Noli was appointed Bishop of Korçë and Metropolitan of Durrës.

For Noli, the priesthood was a compass guiding him toward both religious service and dedication to the national cause.

He was ordained on 8 March 1908 by Platon, the Russian Orthodox Archbishop of New York. Noli celebrated the liturgy in Albanian for the first time at Boston’s church. In 1911, he continued serving Albanian communities across Europe, including Kishinev, Odessa, Bucharest, and Sofia, conducting services in his native language.

As a founder of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, Noli also distinguished himself in diplomacy. In 1920, he led Albania’s delegation to the League of Nations, alongside Mit’hat Frashëri and Hilë Mosi, advocating for Albania’s peaceful admission to the international body.

/a.c/