Aleksander Lestan, the oldest known living man in Slovenia, and the nation’s oldest living priest, passed away in Šempeter pri Gorici on 6 February, at the age of 105 years, 268 days, according to Družina.
Lestan was born in Rečica ob Savinji, Slovenia, on 14 May 1919. His family originally came from Mirna but was expelled at the end of World War I. After returning, he attended a folk school in his home village and aspired to become a priest from an early age. He completed five years of primary school, followed by five years of high school in Turin and an additional three years of secondary education. He then chose to study theology at the Faculty of Theology in Gorizia.
In 1942, he was ordained as a priest by the Archbishop of Gorizia, Carlo Margotti. His priestly career spanned eight decades, beginning as a vicar in Idrija (1942–1945), followed by his role as a parish administrator in Velike Žablje (1945–1953) and later in Prvačina (1953–1973). Finally, he served as the parish priest in Črniče (1973–2004), where he retired at the age of 85. Even in retirement, he remained in the parish as a spiritual assistant until 2021.
The featured image was sourced from Družina.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Aleksander Lestan during this difficult time.
