The Archbishop of Albania presided over the Funeral Service of Fr. Christakis
On Tuesday, 3 June 2025, His Beatitude Archbishop Ioannis of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania, traveled to the city of Korça to preside over the Funeral Service of the late priest, Economos and Cross-Bearer Father Christakis Viso, who passed away suddenly and tragically the previous day.
The presence of the Archbishop was intended not only to accompany the departed in prayer but also to offer comfort and support to his family and loved ones.
Participating in the funeral service were fellow clergy who had concelebrated the Divine Liturgy for years with the blessed father at the Holy Altar, as well as a multitude of faithful who came to honour his long-standing and devoted service to the Church.
Following the serious accident that Father Christakis suffered a few days earlier, while performing maintenance work on the roof of the Holy Church, the Archbishop personally arranged for his immediate airlift by helicopter to the Trauma Hospital in Tirana, where he received medical attention from the most specialised doctors. Despite their efforts, Father Christakis could not be kept alive.
In his funeral oration, the Archbishop stated, among other things: “Today we bid farewell to our dearly beloved brother, Father Christakis, who will remain indelibly in our memory as a tireless and devoted servant.
Whenever there was a need for any kind of ministry, he responded with eagerness and love.
We hope that his good deeds will accompany him, for our Church firmly believes that life does not end with bodily death.
As the Apostle Paul tells us, ‘We do not grieve as those who have no hope.’ This hope we hold as our final consolation, knowing that our God is not the God of the dead, but of the living; and before Him, all are alive.”
The Church prays that the Lord will grant rest to the soul of His departed servant “in the tents of the righteous,” and bestow upon him eternal life and repose.
Eternal be your memory, most worthy of blessedness and ever-memorable brother!”
Source: Church of Albania
