On September 14, 2025, coinciding with the beginning of the ecclesiastical new year, Archbishop Stefan of Ohrid and Macedonia, along with Metropolitan George of Debar and Kichevo, performed the consecration of a church dedicated to Saint Zlata of Moglena in the Skopje district of Saraj. This was reported by the news portal liturgija.mk.
Construction of the church began in 1996; however, due to financial difficulties, it was delayed for many years. In 2007, materials were stolen from the construction site, and in 2017, a church bell weighing approximately 160 kilograms was also taken. The completion of the work and the consecration of the church have been long-awaited events for the residents of the Saraj area, an administrative community in Skopje with over 35,000 inhabitants.
The church is dedicated to Saint Zlata of Moglena (1750–1795), an Orthodox martyr revered in Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Greece. Born in the village of Slatina in the historical region of Meglen (now Northern Greece), Zlata was abducted by Turks and subjected to torture for refusing to renounce her Christian faith. She met her martyrdom at the age of 25 and has since been particularly honored in the Balkans as a protector of Orthodox Christians.
The consecration of the church in her honor in the capital of North Macedonia is not only a religious event but also a cultural one, emphasizing the preservation of the memory of a saint whose life and sacrifice connect the spiritual heritage of the region's peoples.
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