Gerasim Kyrias

Captured by Brigands Gerasim Kyrias

In 1884, a young Albanian with a dream to change to his nation boarded a carriage bound for Kortcha-unaware that on the road ahead mountain pirates awaited him. In this volume, Gerasim Kyrias recounts the true story of his capture and six months as a hostage. He describes the causes and the curse of brigandage and explains how his harrowing experience galvanized his resolve to lift his Albanian countrymen out of darkness. Gerasim Kyrias became Albania's first ordained Evangelical preacher and church planter, preaching to Albanian congregations in Thessaloniki, Monastir (Bitola), and Korça. He wrote and translated Christian hymns, founded the Albanian Gospel Brotherhood, and with his sister Sevasti established the first Albanian School for Girls in Korça. He is honored in Albania and in Macedonia as an illuminist, educator, and patriot.
This title is part of the 500/200 Albanian Protestant Commemorative Series.