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The construction periods of the building are three. It is supposed that it has been built as a martyrium where the remnants of martyrs have been exposed. During the second period, the building assumed two vestibules – narthex and exonarthex, a chapel and a baptisterium. The church has been painted. The murals are among the remarkable examples of Early Christian temple art on the Balkans. Since the V century, some fragments in the western, two scenes in the northwestern and northern arches, as well as a newly discovered fragment in the southern face of the buildings are preserved. During the third period, about X-XII century, the preserved parts of the building were painted again. From that time, a part of the window ornaments and several fragments are safeguarded.
The church name was initially called The Holy Virgin Mary, but became known as the Red Church because of the typical Roman tiles and pink mortar. The magnificent ruins of today are from one of the most remarkable Early Christian monuments in Southeastern Europe
In 2012, a complete restoration of the building, coatings and the preserved paintings was made.