[ALBSA-Info] Mother's Day and Saint George Cathedral

[albboschurch at juno.com]

A South Boston Historical Nugget for Mother's Day

        Just thought you'd like to know of an interesting connection. 
Julia Ward Howe, who provided the words for the Battle Hymn of the
Republic, was the first to propose the idea for a "Mother's Day" devoted
to peace.  It was 1872, the same year that our Cathedral in which we are
privileged to worship, was erected.  She was a parishioner here at the
time when it was known as the Hawes Congregational Church and a leader in
the abolitionist movement.

        In many ways, that tradition was given new orientation with the
stirring oratory of our parish's founder, Archbishop Fan S. Noli.  An
early advocate for civil rights and intellectual freedoms, he carried
that Boston tradition into the next century, together with his
achievements for Albania, and his translations of Orthodox Christian
liturgy and scripture. He also recognized the importance of the role of
women and mothers in our own community.  He once advised his  early
congregation of chiefly male immigrants: "With the arrival of women, our
community began to prosper."

      The mothers and women we cherish today - those with us and those
who have gone to their rest - are a special link with those who have gone
before them. In the Orthodox Church, today is Sunday of Myrrh-Bearing
women: those who stoodby Jesus at the foot of the Cross andwere the first
to receive news of His Resurrection. Yet another fitting connection to
recall and honor in a day of sentiment and prayer.

Fr. Arthur E. Liolin

       .