Church of the Apostle Paul and Saint Astius

The Church of the Apostle Paul and Saint Asti is a modern Orthodox church and one of the main centers of the Orthodox religion in the city of Durrës, built at the initiative of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania and dedicated to the Apostle Paul – the founder according to tradition of the church in Dyrrachium (Durrës) – and Saint Asti (Astius), the first early bishop of Durrës and martyr of the Christian religion in the 1st century AD.

This church is located in the 3rd district of the city of Durrës, near the historic center and the port, and serves as a place of worship for the local Orthodox community. It is today one of the most prominent religious temples in the city, where liturgical rites, celebrations of saints and important events of the church calendar take place.

The construction of today's church began in November 1994, when the cornerstone was laid by Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, and was completed a few years later in the early 2000s. The church was consecrated on May 3, 2009 during a solemn service, becoming a spiritual landmark for the Orthodox of Durrës.

The building is a domed basilica, characteristic of modern Orthodox architecture, with a white stone facade and a Byzantine-style tiled roof. The interior features: an iconostasis handmade by Pogradec craftsmen, expertly crafted episcopal thrones, lit worship spaces, and iconographic decorations reflecting Orthodox tradition. Below the main liturgical level is the community hall, equipped with a kitchen, stage, offices, classrooms, and library, making the church not only a place of worship, but also a community and cultural center.

The church offers a spiritual and communal journey for believers, bringing back the tradition of early Christianity in this city for centuries. It is also a destination visited by tourists and pilgrims, attracted by the peaceful atmosphere, harmonious architecture and connection to the early history of religion in Durrës.