The Veneration of Saint Asteios (Asti) in Albania

The Church of Durrës (ancient Dyrrachium), one of the most important Churches in Albania, was founded by Paul the Apostle, although an ancient tradition says that the first to pass through was Saint James, on his way to Spain. Near Durrës, where the town of Shijak (Saint James) now stands, there was a large cathedral dedicated to Saint James, just beyond the hill, where according to tradition he had given his first sermon. According to old documents, in 58 AD, the Church of Dyrrachium had about 70 Christian families.

Synaxarion of our Holy Father Donatos, Bishop of Euroea

St. Donatos of Euroea (Feast Day - April 30)

Verses

How can we glorify you with words Donatos,
As have your deeds glorified you everywhere?

Our Holy Father Donatos was Bishop of the city called Euroea, which was in Epirus, whose Metropolis was located in Ioannina, during the reign of Theodosius the Great (379-395). The city of Euroea had a village called Soreia,* and in this village was a spring of water, which when drinking from it, would bring on a bitter death. When the most-holy Donatos learned of this, he went to the spring with his priests and clergy, and upon arriving immediately there was thunder, and after this thunder there came out of this spring a deadly dragon. The dragon approached the Saint, and tried to tangle its tail around the legs of the donkey the blessed one was riding. The Saint turned and seeing the dragon, he took the rope which he used to whip the donkey, and struck the back of the dragon, and this alone caused the dragon to receive a death wound. It therefore immediately fell down dead. O the greatness of God and His unutterable philanthropy! For with the Saints who are well pleasing to Him, He works together in order to do these wondrous and paradoxical works! The Christians who beheld this wonder then gathered wood, lit a fire, and burned the beast. No one however out of fear dared to drink from the spring of water. Therefore the Saint composed a prayer, and having blessed the spring, he was the first to drink the water, and told the others to drink without fear. Having done so till they were satisfied, they returned to their homes unharmed.

Holy Martyrs Donatos and Therinos

Sts. Donatos and Therinos (Feast Day - April 23)

Verses

Therinos was reaped by the sword with Donatos.
Both becoming a strange sheaf of God.

The Holy Martyrs Donatos and Therinos met their end by the sword.

Saint Neilos Erichiotis, also known as the Sanctified (+ 1334)

St. Neilos the Sanctified (Feast Day - January 2)

Venerable Neilos Erichiotis, also known as Neilos the Sanctified, was born in 1228 in Constantinople and was a descendant of the imperial family of Laskaris. He became a monk at a very young age at the famous Monastery of Akimiton, where he changed his name from Nicholas to Neilos upon tonsure. Many years later he went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Holy New Martyr Nikodemos the Albanian of Vithkuq (+ 1722)

St. Nikodemos the New Martyr of Vithkuq (Feast Day - July 11)

Verses

Nikodemos carried a rod in his hand,
To strike the error of the lawless Hagarenes.

Saint Nikodemos was born in the city of Vithkuq in Albania to pious parents. When he came of age he went to Berat where he practiced the trade of tailoring. He then married three times, for each time his wife died at a young age and he was left with many children. When he tried to marry a fourth time, he was not permitted in accordance with Orthodox Canon Law. This left Nikodemos bitter, so he went to a Muslim bey to ask for his servant as his wife, but the bey would agree only if Nikodemos converted to Islam. In his desperation to marry a fourth time, Nikodemos accepted the bey's offer and agreed to convert.

Holy New Martyr John the Dragatis, nicknamed "Arnaoutoyiannis" (+ 1845)

St. John the Dragatis (Feast Day - May 19)

John was an Albanian soldier, and was nicknamed "Arnaoutoyiannis".* He was given the name John when he was baptized a Christian after converting from Islam. Arnaoutoyiannis resided in the village of Agios Ioannis in the municipality of Faistou on the island of Crete. There he lived a life of piety and devotion, exercising the profession of dragatis, or field guard, in order to secure a livelihood.

Certain rebels killed two Turkish beggars. The Ottomans who hated John due to his renunciation of their religious beliefs, found an opportunity to avenge him. They delivered him to the secular power of the region, accusing him of the murder of the two Turks, explaining that after his conversion to Christianity he sought to destroy Muslims.

Saint Sophianos, Bishop of Dryinoupolis (+ 1711)

St. Sophianos of Dryinoupolis (Feast Day - November 26)

Saint Sophianos was an important religious figure of his time in the region of Epirus, and is considered the precursor of Saint Kosmas the Aitolos (Aug. 24). He was probably born in the village of Polytsani, in the Pogon region of Northern Epirus. At the time he became Bishop of Dryinoupolis* (modern southwest Albania) the religious composition of the region was changing due to massive conversions to Islam.

Saint Asteios, Bishop of Dyrrachium and the Seven Holy Martyrs With Him

St. Asteios of Dyrrachium (Feast Day - July 6);
Seven Holy Martyrs (Feast Day - July 7)

Verses

To Asteios on July 6

Having been raised up Asteios found a clever end,

He was seen to be anointed with honey and stung by bees.

To the Seven Holy Martyrs on July 7

With the six Peregrinus descended to the depth of the sea,

Contesting there he received a crown.

Holy New Martyr Christos the Gardener (+ 1748)

St. Christos the Gardener (Feast Day - February 12)

By St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite

Verses

Christos was beheaded for the love of the Lord,
And observed to be a gardener in the land of Eden.

Christos was born in Albania. When he was forty years of age, he traveled to the queen of cities, Constantinople, and there became a gardener. One day, as he was selling apples in the marketplace, he agreed to sell a Turk all of his apples. But then an argument ensued between them about the sale price. The vengeful Turk, out of malice, slandered the Christian. He charged that Christos wished to become a Muslim. The Turk, thereupon, not only forcibly brought Christos before the judge but also furnished false witnesses before the court. They attested that Christos truly wanted to become a Muslim. The judge questioned the defendant concerning the allegation. He answered with great courage, "I am a Christian. I never uttered any such thing about converting to Islam. It is impossible for me to abandon my Orthodox faith, even though I should suffer a thousand evils."

Saint Danax the Reader

St. Danax the Reader (Feast Day - January 16)

Verses

Deprived of your head at the delta O Danax,
You were beheaded and seen to be a heavenly ruler and master.

The Holy Martyr Danax lived during the second century and came from Illyricum (i.e. Albania), from a place called Aulon (i.e. Vlore). He served there as a Reader of the Church.

During an invasion by pagans, the Saint took the church vessels and hid them in a remote place five miles from the city near the sea, in order that they not fall into the hands of the unbelievers. He was seized by soldiers, however, and was being forced to sacrifice to the god Dionysios. Refusing to sacrifice and worship their loathsome idols, he remained firm in his faith in Christ. For this he was beheaded, and his body was thrown into the sea. In this manner Saint Danax received the crown of martyrdom.