Nikon (Liolin) of Boston

His Grace, the Right Reverend Nikon (Liolin) is the Bishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese of the Orthodox Church in America. He was consecrated bishop of the Albanian Archdiocese in 2003 and of the Diocese of New England after his election in 2005.

Life

Born on October 9, 1945, in New York City to Evans and Helena Liolin, he was given the name Nicholas. Nicholas was raised in a family that was very active in the American Albanian Archdiocese. His father served as lay chairman of the Diocesan Theological Student Fund. His mother had served as choir director at St. Nicholas Church in Jamaica Estates, New York. He had four brothers: John, who served on the parish council of St. George Church in Trumbull, Connecticut; James, who served as lay chairman of the Jamaica Estates church; Fr. Arthur who is Chancellor of the Albanian Archdiocese; and Billy who gave his life serving in the armed forces during the Korean War.

Nicholas received his pre-collegiate education in New York City, where he developed an interest in theater arts and biological sciences. He was tonsured a reader by Metropolitan Theophan (Noli) of Durres. He continued his studies at Iona and Concordia College in New Rochelle, New York, St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York, and at the New School for Social Research and Political Science in New York, City.

In 1967, he married Sarah Arthur. On July 5, 1969, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop Stephen (Lasko). On the following day Fr. Deacon Nicholas was ordained to the priesthood. During the following years, and with the assistance by his wife as choir director, Fr. Nicholas served at the parishes of St. Nicholas in Southbridge, Massachusetts, and St. Thomas in Farmington Hills, Michigan. He became well known for his pastoral acumen and ministerial sensitivity. Fr. Nicholas took part in many activities including television and radio broadcasts, evangelizing the Orthodox Christian faith. He was also project coordinator for New England's Russian Orthodox Layman's League's The Voice of Orthodoxy broadcasts. On July 25, 2000, Sarah his companion and wife of 33 years died, losing her battle with cancer.

After his wife's death, Fr. Nicholas continued his studies at St Tikhon's Seminary. While at St. Tikhon's monastery he received a monastic tonsure with the name of Nikon. On May 25, 2002, Fr. Nikon was consecrated Bishop of Baltimore and Auxiliary to Metr. Theodosius, the primate of the OCA.

At an assembly of the Albanian Archdiocese on October 10, 2003, Bp. Nikon was nominated to fill the vacant position of Bishop of Boston. On October 22, 2003, he was elected Bishop of Boston by the Holy Synod of the OCA. He was also appointed administrator of the Diocese of New England. In October 2005, Bishop Nikon was elected ruling bishop of the New England diocese after he had been nominated by a council of the New England diocese as their candidate for Bishop of New England. He was enthroned on December 17, 2005, as Bishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese by Metropolitan Herman of the OCA.

Succession box: Nikon (Liolin) of Boston
Preceded by: Nikolai (Soraich)	Bishop of Baltimore (OCA) 2002-2003	Succeeded by: Mark (Maymon)
Preceded by: ?	Bishop of Boston and the Albanian Archdiocese (OCA) 2003-present	Succeeded by: —
Preceded by: Job (Osacky)	Bishop of Boston and New England (OCA) 2005-present	Succeeded by: —

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