AlbanianOrthodox Church in Natick welcomes Archdiocese Delegates

By Ian B. Murphy
GateHouse News Service

After six months of careful preparation and anticipation the Albanian Orthodox Church of the Annunciation is ready to host more than 100 clergy, laypersons, church delegates, friends, and the Right Rev. Nikon, Bishop of Boston this weekend in Natick.

Natick hosts this year’s Albanian Orthodox Archdiocesan Assembly for the first year since 1999. Friday clergy and church delegates from as far away as Michigan discuss church business in forums and assembly meetings at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, with a grand banquet that evening.

The Washington Street church hosts the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, with Bishop Nikon and clergy from the other 11 churches in the archdiocese, and a special farewell brunch afterwards.

“We always look forward to this,” said Ann Powers, chairman of church’s Assembly Planning Committee. “It’s nice when we have all the priests here for the liturgy. It’s ceremonial and very colorful, and it’s very inspirational and uplifting when we all meet like this.”

The theme of this year’s assembly is “Growth and Evangelization,” and features a presentation from Archpriest Eric Tosi, the secretary of the Orthodox Church in America.

“He’s very knowledgeable in this area,” said Father Joseph Gallick, pastor at Annunciation Church in Natick. “He’s done work (in evangelism) before becoming secretary.”

Gallick said all sessions of church business are open to the public, and expects there may be more public participation that last year’s assembly in Philadelphia. Many of the archdiocese’s churches are in New England.

“In this area, we have more churches in the Albanian archdiocese, so it’s a little bit easier,” Gallick said. “(Anyone) can come in and sit in on the sessions, and hear what’s going on.”

At Annunciation Church in Natick, parish chairman Edward Powers said people of all ethnicities come to the church on Washington Street to pray and celebrate their orthodox faith, not just Albanians.

“We’re like a little jewel in between Worcester and Boston,” Powers said. “We welcome all orthodox people to come.”

A clergy social gathering and dinner meeting with Bishop Nikon were scheduled for Sept. 23 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel as well.

(Ian B. Murphy can be reached at 508-626-3964 or imurphy@cnc.com.)

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