Fr. Kristofor Lani Reposed in the Lord.
On Monday, 3 October 2022, Fr. Kristofor Lani had a sudden passing from this world at the age of 72.
His funeral service was held by His Eminence Dhimitri, the Metropolitan of Gjirokaster at his place of birth where he also served with full dedication in the church of Presentation of Christ (Ypapandi), in Labova e Madhe, Zhape. Numerous faithful from all the areas of the Metropolis participated in the service alongside whom there were also the faithful from Odria regions.
After studying and working in the field of economics, Fr. Kristofori moved to Volos in Greece right after the borders were removed. His love for God and his country guided his steps towards Archbishop Anastasios. He carefully listened to his advice and fatherly suggestions and despite his old age, attended the theological studies at the Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Seminary in the new monastery of St. Vlasios. He came back to Albania in 2002 and was ordained a deacon by Archbishop Anastasios in 2005 and later a priest by the Metropolitan of Gjirokaster.
He was honored to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and conduct the church services mainly in Labove of Zhape (and in the surrounding villages) where there was a new church that was gracefully and grandiosely constructed with the support of Archbishop Anastasios on the ruins of the old church.
As the Metropolitan of Gjirokaster emphasized in his comforting and supporting speech after the service, Fr. Kristofor brought hope in those places where life was too hard due to the small number of faithful and the limited financial means. By his presence, more work was provided to the church, such as in the catechism of little children, the organization of activities with the orthodox women, etc. In the bright past, the great philanthropists and humanists of this area, Mr. Vangjel and Mr. Kostandin Zhapa, who were motivated by their deep faith in God and Orthodox Christian love managed to transform Labova and make it a workshop of knowledge, human prosperity and social welfare.
Mentioning the hardships that our country and society are dealing with, as well as the church’s challenge with regard to the low number of clergy in this particular area, the Metropolitan asked the people who were present at the ceremony and also the faithful of the entire area to follow the example of late Fr. Kristofor and be recognized as people who fought for their faith and the Orthodox Church.
