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Thrice Blessed Memory The Ondination of His Grace Bishop Mark I. Lpa to the Episcopate of the Orthodox Church in 1950 brought a new spirit of life and purpose to the Albanian American religious community. AS spir~ itual leader, as hierarch, as teacher and preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as the archpastor he made his presence in the Christian Orthodox ‘community a teal and meaningful experience, Wis initiative in 1951 to Institute a weekly religious radlo program and in) 1958 to commence public tion of a monthly diocesan newspaper were ne responses to the missionary needs of the Albanian Church, The coming of Bishop Mark to the United States aud subsequently his untiring efforts to represent the Albanian church inthe inerjurtsdictional Pan Orthodox activities contributed ‘icantly to greater unity and cooperation within the Orthodox Church. An accomplished fact of the past was the direct fnvolvement of the AIbanian Chureh in the mainstream of America) Onthodoxy. His commitment to the quest for Christan unity in the spirit of Eeumentcal Patriarch Athenagoras and Pope Paul VI prompted Bishop Mark to encourage and develop a working rela- uatip with other religious leaders. ‘The sincere and genuine dedication of Tis Grace Bishop Nhank te the Church and to the people of God has been an inspiration and an example to all who rane known his Church leadership. They have seen with admiration, his humility, his self sacr fice, his pastoral out reach, his prayerful perseverance inthe ideals and principles of Chestian Iie and mnission, his sustaining hope. his unwavering will and strength to go forward in the spit- {or our Lords saving love for mankind, With undaunted courage nurtured by faith in Jesus Christ iret a determined resolve to serve the Church, Bishop Mark advocated the causes of human rights and religious freedom for people everywhere, including Albania. of the preservation of the Albanian heritage and culture, including language and ethnic traditions, of the territorial inteati- yer Atbania, of the advancement of the American Ideals of democracy and justice, and of mter- rational peace and good will among Nations. ‘May his memory'be eternal + His Grace Bishop Marke Rex Protopresbyter Michael Dali ‘and Prifesha Dali Pastor, 1955-1984 {am very grateful and thankful lo Almighty God ‘who has given me the opportunity to serve for 30 Nears as Pastor and 10 years as Pastor meritus Uf the blessed community of St. Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Chueh, Is with great joy, together with all m of this church to celebrate this great S0tn Anniversary of the founding of our beloved St Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Community {would tke to wish much success and progress to lf our beloved members and may you celebrate ‘many, many more anniversaries. riftesha Frances and | wish good heatth and Jongevity to the Pastor of the Church, the Very Reverend Father Philip Koufos, vo President William Chaplain and all the members of the Parish Cound, to President of the Ladies Auxillary Helen Garcia and her Council, to Kay Giannos, Director of the Choir and all members, and 10 Garole Chaplain, Sunday Schoo! Director and all teachers and students, With Paternal Love LE Hiheel Bab Father Michael Dali Teron worse seetings to everyone gathered to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of St. Nicholas Albanian Chodox church of Chicage ‘he anniversary of a place of worship is a testament to the lasting faith of a comunity, This faith is a covenant that binds members of a congregation together in a spirit of fellowship, our country was founded on a great tradition of religious liberty. This freedon helps to unite Sur nation of diverse faiths and creeds and gives ue common ground for telerance and understanding of othere Your precious faith and freedom come with great responsibilities. This reminder of the ways that God's g: used to fulfill our obligation to help others Best wishes for a memorable c great success sn the future To Cuonton_. mony and for — october 1, 1994 ar. W. 8. Cheplain St. Nicholas Albanian Orthodox church Pio1 North Narragansett avenue Enieago, Tilineis 60639 bear Mr. chaplain: on behalf of the city of Chicago, it ig my pleasure to extend cordish grestings to the clergy, monbers, families and friends of GeEtiel greholas Albanian Orthodox Church's 50th Anniversary Gala ‘his 4a a significant milestone in your church history and t join With ‘you av you give, thanks for ‘che sanctuary where you Jeintp and tecal? the many events and individuals that have istaihed the church over the years. St. Wicholas has established tele in ‘the hearts of its community, serving as a source of inspiration and guidance. As you connenorate this momentous occasion, please accept my pest ‘viches for a spiritually uplifting celebration. Way your Parish continue to grow in faith and friendship. sincerely, Aap Pe suotssitio pur sion Aue 20) sojode an }quy!eAP sem rey woneusrojt amp tpi pod ax se pnt se exTHDe aprosd or parduione Sheu ant. apgisocun 329u sf Hpunup ano Jo ssxlord 2yp 40} sreOK Ayes BOND Poiom sseq ou pe J soured atp apmput oY, SEI yoyBEP © Pasoud SeIOHPAN. SJ Tow aep Buquse pu stuaas Suedap Appweanone yo Lqysuodsar axp eps pared Jayso1oud pue woddns stp yBnosyp ajgyssod juan stip Supyeus 04 S1opUaa pu spusyy ssauisng Ino ‘suoneZTUEIO ysHET SIOUO! Rysued SeoUpIN, WS at oF worrerasdde doop ssa1dxo 0) soysta oMHWWLE uopppaiddy uy yams dyna nad ip fjasinod Jo an nod uayme 3336 ‘shoxssossod anod fo aa}8 no oy aqui} mq aas8 no, SALLIWWOO AUVSUAAINNY HILAL A House of Worship It. was the spring of 1944, when bwelve concerned ‘Orthodox Christian men of Atbantan decent, happy and pleased that they and thelr families could practice thelr religious faith al the various Greek Orthodox Churches in the Chicagoland area, declded that the time had ‘come to onganize an Eastern Orthodox Church of their fown which would be made up of Orthodox Christian families of Albanian descent who hac! immigrated to the Chicago area during the 1920 and 308, The men began meeting In their respective homes and by sum= mer, had decided on a name for thelr Church. The Church name that was selected was Albanian Orthodox Church St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas, Bishop fof Myra in Lycia, was admired for his love of giving Lo poor children and families; he ts the patron saint of children The new Church was incorporated and recognized by the state of Ilinots on June 18 1944, The community stated in the Church constitution that the purpose of the St. Nicholas Church was {o uphold the religion and traditions of Christianity aecording to the preaching of the Faster Holy Canons and the Seven Ecumenical Synods and to preserve the native language and the enlight- ment of Christianity by studying religious books and other methods. ‘Once the Church was incorporated they then proceeded to concentrate on the most difficult task before them: soliciting donations for the purchase of a building where the Albanian Orthodox ‘community could worship on Sundays and all of the Holy days,

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