History of Albanian Americans in Greater Boston

The Greater Boston Area is home to a sizable Albanian American and Albanian immigrant community, especially within South Boston, Worcester, and Quincy. Massachusetts has the third-largest Albanian population in the U.S., with over 21,000 Albanians in residence; only New York and Michigan host larger populations.

History
To avoid service in the Turkish War during the late 19th century, due to Albania being under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, some Albanians came to the U.S., particularly to Chicago, Boston, and New York. The first Albanian documented to have emigrated to the United States was Kolë Kristofori (Nicholas Christopher), who landed in Boston in the early 1880s and is remembered as the pioneer of the Albanian ethnic group in the U.S. It was not until the 1900s that large numbers of Albanians reached the U.S. East Coast; most of them were young bachelors from southern Albania.

Controversies and social issues
The Hudson Incident was a 1907 controversy following the death and burial of Kristaq Dishnica, an Albanian immigrant to the United States, which catalyzed the foundation of the Albanian Orthodox Mission in America under the leadership of Fan Noli, eventually leading to the Orthodox Church of Albania's formation.

Distribution
Similar to New York City's Albanian community but unlike that of the Metro Detroit community, Albanian Americans and Albanian immigrants live in both the city proper and suburbs, and are widely dispersed in various areas of Greater Boston. Boston itself has a large Albanian population, as does Worcester, Quincy, and Waltham.

Boston proper has 2,200 Albanians; 0.3% of Boston's population; this is in contrast with the US national average being less than 0.1% of Americans.

Religious services and community centers
The Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America has a diocese in Massachusetts. The Cathedral of St. George Historic District hosts services related to the diocese.

The Holy Trinity Church is an Albanian-language church in South Boston.

The MAAS BESA is an Albanian community organization which serves the Greater Boston Area.

Events
There is an Albanian parade every September, set on Hancock Street in Quincy.

Restaurants and businesses
The ALBA Restaurant in Quincy is steak- and meat-focused.

Notable people

 * Anthony Athanas, Albanian-born owner of South Boston's Anthony's Pier 4
 * Eliza Dushku, Massachusetts-born actress who played Faith in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
 * Kristo Kondakçi, Albania-born conductor