Yesterday afternoon, Lezha held a heartfelt ceremony at the Church of the Martyrs in Blinisht, where the remains of three of Albania’s revered religious martyrs rest. On November 5, residents of Zadrima and priests from the Diocese of Sapa gathered to mark the 8th anniversary of the beatification of 38 Albanian religious martyrs, among them Father Ndoc Suma, Father Luigj Prendushi, and Vinçens Prenushi, whose remains are interred in this church.

The commemoration began with a procession titled “In the Footsteps of the Martyrs,” followed by a holy mass in their honor, also held at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Lezha.

During the service, Monsignor Ottavio Vitale, Bishop of the Diocese of Lezha, addressed the faithful, noting that the church faces persecution worldwide and underscoring the importance of understanding the challenges of our times.

Known as the Blessed Martyrs of Albania, these 38 saints lost their lives under the communist regime in Albania after 1945. On November 5, 2016, the Vatican honored their sacrifice for faith and homeland by declaring them blessed.

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