Hudson incident
Encyclopedia
The Hudson Incident was an incident that gave rise to the foundation of the Albanian Orthodox Mission in America under the leadership of Fan Noli, who later would become the leader of the Orthodox Church of Albania. Eastern Orthodoxes in the United States would usually carry with them their lithurgy and language, however the case of the Albanians
was different. Since they had been prohibited their own language in churches and schools, they established their first national church in Boston
, United States
.
of influenza. Dishnica was an Albanian patriot, and since the Greek Church had excommunicated him, no Orthodox Church in the area would perform his funeral rites. As Dishnica was laid to rest in a Worcester
cemetery without any religious service, the ire of the Albanians in Massachusetts
arouse.
Fan Noli, an Albanian who had emigrated one year earlier to Boston, and who at that time was simply a church cantor, recognized this as an opportunity to serve the spiritual needs of his own community and to champion the cause for religious and political freedom in Albania. Noli was able to garner the support of Archbishop Platon, head of the Russian Orthodox Church
in the United States, who ordained him as a priest on March 18, 1908 at the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in New York City
.
A week later Noli was appointed administer of the Albanian Orthodox Mission in America, and later elevated to the rank of Mitred Archmandrite.
.
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
was different. Since they had been prohibited their own language in churches and schools, they established their first national church in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Background
In 1907, a young Albanian emigrant to the United States, Kristaq Dishnica, died in Hudson, MassachusettsHudson, Massachusetts
Hudson is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 19,063 at the 2010 census. The town is located in central Massachusetts, about a 40-minute drive, or about , west of Boston, and about a 20-minute drive, or about , northeast of Worcester.Before its...
of influenza. Dishnica was an Albanian patriot, and since the Greek Church had excommunicated him, no Orthodox Church in the area would perform his funeral rites. As Dishnica was laid to rest in a Worcester
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
cemetery without any religious service, the ire of the Albanians in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
arouse.
Fan Noli, an Albanian who had emigrated one year earlier to Boston, and who at that time was simply a church cantor, recognized this as an opportunity to serve the spiritual needs of his own community and to champion the cause for religious and political freedom in Albania. Noli was able to garner the support of Archbishop Platon, head of the Russian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
in the United States, who ordained him as a priest on March 18, 1908 at the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
A week later Noli was appointed administer of the Albanian Orthodox Mission in America, and later elevated to the rank of Mitred Archmandrite.
Aftermath
As a result Saint George Albanian Orthodox Church is organized at the Knights of Honor Hall on Tremont Street in Boston. The church later evolved into the Saint George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral, which is also the seat of the Albanian Archdiocese of the Orthodox Church in AmericaOrthodox Church in America Albanian Archdiocese
The Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America is one of three ethnic dioceses of the Orthodox Church in America . Its territory includes parishes, and missions located in seven states in the United States – California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and...
.