Durrës celebrated the patron saint of Agios Astiostranslated

In the central church of the city of Dyrrachium, which is dedicated to the Apostle Paul and Saint Astios, the first martyred bishop and patron of the city, the feast of Saint Astios was celebrated with joy. The celebration of this day acquired special significance, as the Holy Masses, the Orthros and the Divine Liturgy were performed by His Beatitude the Archbishop of Albania, Mr. Ioannis, who collaborated with the Theophilist Bishop of Amantia, Mr. Ignatios, as well as with clerics from Durres and Tirana.

In his sermon, Archbishop Ioannis referred to the life and example of Saint Asti, stressing that the martyrs are the foundation on which the Church was built. He reminded the faithful that their blood was the seed for the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire and that their resistance to persecution testified to the power of faith in Christ.

Speaking about the life of Agios Asti, Archbishop Ioannis reminded the faithful that the Bishop of Dyrrachium, according to tradition, played a decisive role in the spread of the Gospel in the lands of Illyria.

Having been prophetically warned of his martyrdom,…