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Theophan (Noli) of Durres

152 bytes added, 22:53, February 27, 2012
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Now, the events of 1924 would bring Metr. Noli to his political summit. While the leader of the Orthodox Church in Albania, Metr. Noli was also the leader of a liberal political party opposing the conservative party of Ahmet Zogu who was supported by the feudal landlords and middle class. After an attempted assassination on Ahmet Zogu, the nationalist deputy Avni Rustemi was assassinated on [[April 22]], 1924, allegedly by a group of Zogists. Metr. Noli gave a fiery oration at Rustemi's funeral that provoked such a reaction by the liberal opposition that Zugo was forced to flee to Yugoslavia.
Then, on [[July 17]], 1924, Metr. Noli was proclaimed prime minister, followed shortly by being designated Regent of Albania. He presented a twenty-point program for modernization and democratization of Albania, but the country was unready for such brash and idealistic ideas. On [[December 24]], 1924, Zogist forces overthrew Noli's government, and he left Albania for the last time. After drifting through Europe for the rest of the decade, Metr. Noli returned to the United States in 1930 on a six-month visa. With the expiration of his visa he was forced to return to Europe, but in 1932 he was granted permanent resident status and returned to the United States permanently. Upon arriving in the United States he withdrew from political life and returned to his duties as head of the Albanian [[|Autocephaly|Autocephalous]] Orthodox Church.
Ironically, in late 1933, his archenemy Ahmet Zogu gave Metr. Noli 3000 gold francs to pay for treatment of a serious illness that Metr. Noli couldn't afford. Through this gift much of the animosity between Noli and Zogu was reconciled, as well as with his old compatriot, Faik bey Konitza.
*[http://www.geocities.com/spiritofalbania/noli.htm F. Noli - Spirit of Albania]
*[http://www.albanianliterature.com/html/authors/bio/noli.html Metr. Fan Noli - Biography]
*[http://www.albanianorthodox.com Noli's Liturgical Translations in Albanian and English]
[[Category: Bishops]][[Category:Bishops of Korca]]
[[Category:Archbishops of Albania]]
[[Category:20th-century bishops]]
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