An Orthodox liturgy has been celebrated for the first time in several decades at the ruins of the ancient Monastery of the Forty Martyrs near the city of Sarandë in southern Albania. The service was led by Metropolitan Nathanael (Andoni) of Gjirokastër, according to a statement released on social media by the local Orthodox diocese.

Church officials said that no services had been held at the historic site since the late 1930s.

The Monastery of the Forty Martyrs stands on a hill overlooking the Ionian coast and is considered one of the most significant monuments of early Christianity and the Byzantine era in the Balkans. The complex is believed to have been built around the 6th century and served as a major pilgrimage center for more than a thousand years.

The nearby city of Sarandë derives its name from the monastery. The name originates from the Greek phrase “Agioi Saranda,” meaning “Forty Saints.” The monastery was dedicated to the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste—Roman Christian soldiers who were executed in the 4th century for their faith.

Historically, the monastic complex included a central basilica, monks’ cells, and accommodations for pilgrims. Beneath the monastery were 40 small chapels, each dedicated to one of the Forty Martyrs.

The site’s fate changed dramatically in the 20th century. During the communist era in Albania (1944–1991), when religion was officially banned, the area was converted into a military installation. Today only fragments of the basilica’s walls remain.

According to the diocese, the recent liturgy marks an important moment for the Orthodox community in the region. Church representatives described the ancient monastery as a “precious witness to the Christian faith” in southern Albania.