Shtjefën Gjeçovi (Mëhill Konstandin Gjeçi Kryeziu), writer, publicist, translator, cleric, ethnographer, archeologist, was killed by the Serbs in the Rrezin Hill of Zym of Hasi i Thatë. He was born in Janjevë, Kosovo, in 1874. He completed his primary education in his hometown. In 1884 he entered the Franciscan College of Troshan (Shkodra Province). In 1988, after finishing college, he went to the Assembly of Fojnica (Bosnia). He continued his studies in Dervente, in Banja-Llukë. He completed his theological studies in Kreshevë. In 1896 he was appointed a priest in Troshan. There he took the new name Shtjefën-Kostandin. He served in Rubik and in 1897 he was transferred as a parish priest in Zllakuqan in Klinë. He was a teacher of the first Albanian school in Zllakuqan. He continued to work in other places: in Laç of Kurbin (he reopened the Albanian school), in Gomsiqe in Mirdita, in Durrës, in Vlorë, in Shkodër and as an Albanian teacher in Arbëresh in Zadar (1905). In the last years of his life, he returned to work in Zym of Hasi. In 1929, because of his patriotic, educational and cultural activity, he was killed by the Serbs on Rrezin Hill of Ztm of Hasi i Thatë. The activity of Shtjefën Gjeçovi includes many published works and manuscripts. His published works are: “Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjini ner Malcina t’Mdhaa” (“The Kanun of Lekë Dukagjin among Great Highlands”), subsequently published in the magazine Albania (1898-1899); “Dashtunia e adheut” (“Love of Homeland”), (drama, 1901); “Agimet e Gjytetniis“, didactic moral work (1910); “Princi i Dy Dibrave apo Mojsi Golemi” (“The prince of two Dibras or Mojsi Golemi”)(1904); “Tradhti Gjaksore (Vrasja e Mark Kulit)” (“Bloody betrayal(The murder of Mark Kuli)”) (1906); “Përkrenarja e Skënderbeut” (“Skanderbeg’s Helmet”) (1914). He collected the popular treasure from material and spiritual culture, many archaeological objects and formed the Franciscan museum, where he exhibited important museum exhibits, weapons, clothing and other rare items. (In the photo: Shtjefën Gjeçovi)
Text: The encyclopedic dictionary of Kosovo – Vol. I , Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo, Prishtina, 2018, page 539–540.
Photo: © https://gazeta-nacional.com/frrok-kristaj-shtjefen-gjecovi-nje-nga-figurat-me-poliedrike-qe-njeh-historia-e-kultures-shqiptare/
Graphic processing: AHCF
