Church of the Five Martyrs

The Holy Church of the Five Martyrs, built in 1633, is the oldest church on Agios Efstratios. It is dedicated to the martyrs Efstratios, Auxentios, Mardarios, Eugenios and Orestes, who suffered in the 3rd century AD. Materials from an ancient Greek temple were incorporated into its construction, such as marble columns and Corinthian capitals, and its interior was adorned with notable frescoes. It stands at the western edge of the castle of the old settlement, near a steep cliff, where ruins survive today. The church is single-aisled, 11 x 8 m, with column bases indicating it was once divided into three aisles. The marble floor, decorated in opus sectile, formed geometric patterns with a central star-shaped heptagon. The Holy Table is marble, resting on a Corinthian capital, while traces of frescoes are visible on the south wall. Marble elements remain on site, evidence of the monument’s historical value.