#5 • September 2013
orthodox mission
QUARTERLY PERIODICAL OF THE ORTHODOX MISSIONARY FRATERNITY
1963-2013: Fellow travelers in the Orthodox Mission in the nations for 50 years
orthodox mission
Founded in 1963 Honored by the Patriarchate of Alexandria July-September 2013 / Issue 5 (GR22) Editor: Nostis Psarras Ss. Missionaries Cyril and Methodius
In this issue 4 Memories of unforgettable love 5 Indonesia 6 Guinea 11 DR Congo 12 Madagascar 15 Tanzania 16 Cameroon 22 Ghana 24 Captured in grief 26 Nigeria 30 Kenya 33 Malawi 37 Burundi & Rwanda 41 Malaria: the scourge of Africa 45 Columns of gratitude You can give your love for the Orthodox Mission Abroad at the Fraternity's office, on our website via PayPal, or by deposit in this bank account:
EMPORIKI BANK • ΙΒΑΝ: GR03 0120 4050 0000 0008 0765 011 • BIC: EMPOGRAA Receipts of payments are issued and sent to the donators.
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Orthodox Missionary Fraternity
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http://orthodoxmission.org.gr
ierapostoli@hotmail.com Recognized charitable, philanthropic, not-for-profit greek corporation. Aim: Moral and material support for the worldwide Eastern Orthodox Mission Spiritual founder : Archim. Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos Founders
: Pantelis Bayas Panagiotis Papademetracopoulos
Great Benefactor : P. Papademetracopoulos
Board of Directors Constantinos Daoudakis Chairman
Nostis Psarras Emmanuel Moustakes Demetrios Sotercos Constantinos Metallidis Evangelia Traicoudi Nicoleta Modiotou Peke Azariadou Angelos Voyatzis
Vice chairman Secretary General Τreasurer Secretary Assistant Treasurer Assistant Member Member Member
memory eternal, memory eternal, memory eternal, memory eternal, memory eternal,
memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal, memory eternal, memory eternal, memory eternal, memory eternal, memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal
memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal memory eternal
Memory eternal of Patriarchs, Bishops, Hiermonks, Priests, Nuns & Missionaries, Founders, Members & Donors
of the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity and Neophytes.
1963-2013: Fellow travelers in the Orthodox Mission in the nations for 50 years
Memories of unforgettable love The Orthodox Missionary Fraternity throughout its existence since 1963 had the spiritual joy to co-operate with most of the Missionaries listed below for the conveyance of the divine Grace of the Holy Triune God through the Orthodox faith to our benevolent brothers among the nations. The memorable Missionaries, clergymen and lay people, who plowed spiritually the vineyard of our Lord Jesus Christ are the following: f. Nicodemos Sarikas (in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa), f. Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos (in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Congo), f. Obadiah Basayakitalo (in Uganda, Kenya), b. Christophoros Spartas, b. Theodoros Nangyama & Penelope Katsea (in Uganda), Archbishop Makarios of Cyprus & b. Georgios Gaduna (in Kenya), f. Athanasios Anthides (in Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Ethiopia, India), f. Boris Moon, f. Andreas Chalkiopoulos & Savvas Lee (in Korea), f. Chariton Pneumatikakis, f. Cosmas Gregoriates, Olga Papasarantou, Maria Argyropoulou, Demetrios Aslanides & Constantinos Philippou (in Congo), Patriarch Peter VII, b. Irineos Tambakos (in Cameroon, Kenya), b. Nectarios Kelles (in Madagascar), f. Sosthenes Kiyonga (in Tanzania), Sister Gabrielia (in Kenya, India), Stavritsa Zachariou (in Kenya, Uganda, Congo). Our conscience impels us to apologize for any names of other Missionaries that might not have been mentioned. |4
INDONESIA
The “Theotokos� Hospital in danger
Devout brothers, Rejoice in the Lord! We would like to thank you wholeheartedly for your last financial aid of 5,000 euros for equipping our Theotokos Hospital in Medan, as well as for the 5,000 euros, donation of a pious lady from Volos, which you sent us for printing the liturgical books in Indonesian. In a few days, I am going to our communities of Saint Ephraim and the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Pargambiran in order to see the projects there. To be honest, my brothers, the other project has not yet been completed due to a new problem that has arisen. A week ago, the Ministry of Health sent us a circular according to which all the hospitals in Indonesia have to obtain a Certificate which testifies that the hospital meets the standards required before 2014, because
from January only the hospitals that hold this Certificate will be allowed to operate in Indonesia. As you can see, my brothers, we have only a few months available in order to make the necessary preparations for that. The expenses required for the Certificate amount to 10,000 euros. Should we not have it, then we will get the operation license of our newly created Hospitalfor which your Fraternity has assisted us so much- removed. This is why, my brothers, I do not know where to appeal. Of course, I resort to our Lady asking her to mediate to her Son for help, and I believe that she will listen to us and send us the money required through a charitable donor. That is all our news, my brothers, and that is my fervent plea. May God bless you all with His generous gifts. Fr Chrysostomos Manalu 5|
GUINEA
Pastoral tour in Guinea and Sierra Leone
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uesday 23rd May 2013, memory of the Holy Equals-to– the-Apostles, Saints Constantine & Helen. With the wishes and blessings of His Divine Beatitude Theodore II Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, I arrived in Guinea after a 29-hour-journey. At the airport I was greeted by the members of the first Orthodox nuclei in the country. ednesday 22nd May. In the car that was donated to us by the Saracakis Bros company, we set off on our road trip for the city of Kindia, which is situated inland about 135km from the capital Conakry. It took us more than 5 hours to cover this relatively short distance. I got thirsty on the way so I asked if we could stop for a while in order to have some sort of refresh-
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ment and quench our thirst. “Such things do not exist here,” said my fellow travelers. I wondered how that was possible, since I saw little tables with bottles of popular western soft drinks throughout the way. “No, Your Eminence,” they told me, “these are not soft drinks but gas; here we buy gas in bottles of soft drinks and beer and only the richer in jerry-cans.” hursday 23rd May. Visit to the Technical School which is under construction in Kindia. At this Technical School there will be bakery courses and among the facilities, there is provision for the installation of a professional oven so that apart from their practical training, the students will be able to bake bread for the benefit of the local society. Next we visited local
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schools, where we distributed to the pupils stationery and sweets which had been sent in a container by the Limassol Co-operative Savings Bank. Wherever I walked, I heard the people call me ‘Fote’, especially the little children. I asked my fellow travelers what ‘Fote’ means, and they said ‘White man’. “Keep in mind, Your Eminence, that the majority of the people here have never seen a white man before except on TV, let alone one walking among them.” riday 24th May. We visited the parking lot of the 50- seat- bus which was donated to us by the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity and discussed with local agents the
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best possible ways this bus could meet the transport needs of the local community. It is worth pointing out that such a bus has never circulated before, not only in Kindia but also in the whole of Guinea. Next I visited the three wells which are being drilled thanks to the good offices of the Metropolis, so that 3 of the poorest city districts can have access to water. “The poorest” is just a figure of speech, since 99% of the inhabitants live below the poverty line. Privileged are the ones who have a relative that works abroad. aturday 25th May. I visited the local University. There I was given the opportunity to meet with
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The bus which was bought with funds from the Fraternity
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the representatives of the students’ association and discuss their needs, which were focused on the creation of a lending library and the accessibility to the internet, and I could not help thinking how many books we throw away in the western world without even bothering to recycle them. We distributed stationery there as well. unday 26th May. Divine Liturgy celebrated in a private venue ceded by a family of catechumens. Cantor, Sacristan, Deacon. Priest: all in one person. The catechumens have a thirst for religious books. They said to me: “Your Eminence, send us whatever you can.” onday 27th May. Departure for Sierra Leone.Despite the very bad weather, the person in charge of the Mission in Sierra Leone, the Very Reverent Archimandrite Fr Themistocles Adamopoulos, managed to get to the airport in order to greet me. We were able to reach the Mission premises around midnight. uesday 28th May. Accompanied by Fr Themistocles and all the clerics I went to Waterloo region, where I visited the Missionary center of Saint Moses the Black, which was inaugurated by the Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria on 23rd February 2012, and comprises the Holy Church of the Lord’s Resurrection, Presbytery, Primary School, Clinic, workroom for the creation of artificial limbs (prosthetics) and housing for the accommodation of the mutilated by mines children. Inside the
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Holy Church the pupils sang songs and recited poems. Next I told them words of (parental) love and gave them advice. Then I laid the foundation stone for the erection of the (Junior) High School. In the afternoon I was shown around the Orthodox Pedagogical Academy, where I marveled at the work being done there. I visited the classrooms, the rich in the collection of materials library and the computer lab, and I also had the chance to talk with the students as well as the teachers. Late in the afternoon I officiated at the Vespers service for the feast of Mid-Pentecost at the Holy Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, which was erected next to the Orthodox Pedagogical Acad-
emy, and I preached the Word of God to the congregation, which was mainly composed of the male and female students of the Academy. east of Mid-Pentecost. We conducted a vigil at the Cathedral of Sts Eleftherios and George in Freetown. During the Divine Liturgy, I ordained Deacon Vaios Hancile to a Presbyter, Subdeacon Aaron to a Deacon and finally I confirmed Fr Eleftherios Edmonson to a Protopresbyter through cheirothesia (imposition of hands), whom I appointed Dean of the Cathedral on Fr Themistocles’ recommendation. I preached the Word of God mostly referring to Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, and in the end I congratulated Archimandrite
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Themistocles Adamopoulos on his multifarious, God-pleasing work in Sierra Leone, which he carries out under very difficult conditions. I also thanked all those who contribute to the fruition of the Missionary work in one way or another, making special mention of the contribution (material, moral as well as in human resources) of the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity. ednesday 29th May. I conducted a blessing of the waters for the beginning of the new school term, which was attended by the teachers as well as the schoolchildren of the Orthodox schools (Primary-Junior High), which are situated beside the Cathedral, and which were inaugurated by the Patriarch Theodore II
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of Alexandria in February 2012. Next we returned to the Missionary center where I chaired the clergy gathering. There I had the chance to meet with all the clerics, the volunteers and the Mission staff and give them the proper parental admonitions; we also discussed the various issues that concerned them. In the evening I departed for Senegal. Despite the bumpy journey, we managed to reach the airport in time and bade farewell with emotion and spiritual exultation, glorifying the Holy One for all the things He makes us worthy to experience daily in our humble effort to evangelize our African brothers in Western Africa. + George of Guinea
The church of the Resurrection and St. Moses the African in Sierra Leone - funded by our Fraternity
CENTRAL AFRICA
Our polyclinic in the jungle Our little polyclinic, situated in Samana region deep in the Congo, has already been housed, and the full of joy people surround it in anticipation of the doctor and its equipment, that is, beds, medical tools, medicines. Its construction was very difficult since all the building had to be carried from the capital city of Kinshasa, which is more than a thousand kilometers away from here. It took two months for the riverboat to cross the Congo River first and then its tributary Saguru going through rough forests in order to reach the banks of the Samana River. It is there that the village dwellers gathered and with their hands carried the materials as far as their village three km away from the banks of the Saguru river. |11
Strenuous efforts, anxieties, sweat, were finally coming to an end. Now they are so happy, because from now on they will not have to walk for days in order to find a doctor or a medicine, they will not be dying on the way to a doctor’s, especially old people, pregnant women or little children. They are really grateful to the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity and the donor from Thessalonica, pray for him and his family and thank God for illuminating this charitable man from a distant country like Greece to offer them this valuable for their health present. They also thank their Metropolitan, because he chose their village Samana for the construction of this polyclinic. + Nikiphoros of Central Africa
MADAGASCAR 3rd watertank: a hope of life Dear brothers in Christ, I would like to thank you once more for the considerable aid you offered us at times, that is the 10,000 euros for food purchase and lately the 30,000 euros for the funding of several projects, especially the water tanks. I would therefore like to inform you that a month ago we had the last water tank completed in a remote village 22 km away from the main road, so now the local people are being
served this way and do not have to travel very long distances in order to carry the water. All the residents, young and old, were very happy and thanked me repeatedly during my last visit there. I enclose photographs. With the help of God and the blessings of our Pope and Patriarch Theodore II, everything goes on well, despite the fact that the financial crisis in Greece and Cyprus has affected us, too.
Strike of the monsoons Lately we have had plenty of disasters due to the monsoons. Lots of houses have been destroyed and plenty of people |12
are left homeless. Also, three of our churches have been damaged and they need a lot of repair work in order to operate properly
again. In addition, there was a failure of a river dam near the town of Tulear, which resulted in the destruction of half of the city. Moreover, the houses of two priests were almost completely covered by water, and the clerics lost all their belongings. Once more, our church was not inactive. We sent food, milk and clothing, which were
distributed to the flood-stricken people. Unfortunately, there were plenty of human casualties in this disaster. The damages are being restored little by little, but this will definitely take time and money. Our church is always there for people when they face serious problems, without making any discriminations.
Progress of the spiritual work We continue our tours in villages and towns where people are interested in meeting Orthodoxy. The Word of God is sown whether convenient or not and bears fruit depending on the fertility of the ground, as
the Gospel says, which applies perfectly to the contemporary world. The grace of God always comes first and prepares the ground (that is, men’s souls) so that they accept His Word. Here is the starting point
Third tank of drinkable water - funded by a donator of us
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of the mystery of men’s salvation. The occasions are so plentiful and varied that we cannot even imagine. Small, trivial events give us the chance to start the catechesis and acquaintance with a specific village. The seed is sown in the people’s hearts and little by little it bears fruit until a small nucleus is formed, and in the end, an Orthodox church is created. What bigger miracle than that can one ask for? The miracle takes place in the people’s souls by the grace of God. It reforms and regenerates them so that they can accept the truth,
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the real God, the true religion. The Holy Spirit is constantly opening doors for Its habitation. We often accept invitations from villages to visit them and talk about the Orthodox Church. The conversion is achieved by the grace of God, which always precedes us and opens men’s hearts. Thanks be to God for our humble ministry. May He bring out persons eager to work in His vineyard, because the shortage of such workers is being felt day by day. With paternal blessings Ignatius of Madagascar
TANZANIA (Dar Es Salaam)
Vision of a children's clinic The Missionary visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Demetrios to Iringa region was a great gift for us. Accompanied by his partners, priests as well as volunteers, he visited the new Holy Churches preaching the Word of God to the natives and spreading Love generously offering hope, joy, tons of food and clothing. At the same time, the Christian flock has increased by approximately 1,000 Christenings and Weddings. Apart from the things mentioned above, the Good God granted the laying of the foundation stone of the Holy Church of Saint Irene the Great Martyr in Mkonga village, Iringa, by His Eminence. Finally, the sleepless pastoral care of our Bishop resulted in the ordination of two clerics and the lay-
ing of hands on thirteen readerscatechists. Dear readers, please, keep on being so warm-hearted and charitable and help us. Help, brothers, so that the amount of 10,000 euros is raised for the completion of Saint Panteleimon’s clinic in Mangali village, Iringa. Within a radius of about 20 km, thousands of people are left without pharmaceutical or medical care, among whom many little children. Please, do not let them die. The clinic which will be completed thanks to your own mite, will save plenty of little children from death. The children there are creatures of the same God; therefore, they are our own children, too. Archim. Fotios Hatziantoniou Chancellor, H. M. of Irinoupolis 15|
CAMEROON
Speaking of Christ in Africa A small echo of the commandment: “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation….”
Yaounde, 30th July 2013 At the end of John’s Gospel there is a clarification for the recipients of the epistle-gospel: “…and there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 21,25) A lot of people might think that the Evangelist exaggerates at this point…Is that an exaggeration, though? According to the Orthodox tradition and the decisions of the Ecumenical Councils, the Gospel |16
is God-inspired from one end to the other. The Gospels are a written record of some points of the Oral tradition of the Apostles towards the newly formed at the time Ecclesiastical Communities and are written according to the reminders of the Holy Spirit in the words of the Lord: “These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said
unto you.” (John, 14, 25-26) Moreover, in all four Gospels there are plenty of seemingly “insignificant” testimonies of a large number of miraculous healings. Therefore, due to the fact that man is prone to forgetfulness, the Father sends the Comforter, Who reminds us of everything that Christ commanded “by His word and actions” in his earthly life and action. Of course, this task of the Holy Ghost, that is, “the reminder” of the Lord’s commands, does not stop at the Apostolic age, but goes on throughout the centuries by means of the daily sanctification of the members of the ecclesiastical communities and
by bringing into prominence holy male and female figures from all social classes and from the whole Ecclesiastical Hierarchy. This way, we have Apostles, Equal to the Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Holy Fathers and Mothers, Hierarchs, the Righteous and Pious. We also have holy Kings, Generals, soldiers, fishermen, slaves and freed men, women saints out of prostitutes, stylites or dendrites (tree-dwelling monks), fools for Christ’s sake, holy male and female suicides... All these categories of virtuous people, through their life and the exceptional way in which they were led to holiness, “remind” us truly and
HE Gregory offers goods to prisoners
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substantially in actions and in words of one and the same thing: “the person of Jesus Christ”. We could also say that through their life, their example and many times their teaching, they pull up in the memory of the ecclesiastical communities -as well as of the Church as a whole-many of the things that Jesus Christ did and were not recorded, which were so numerous that if they should be written down one by one, the world itself could not contain so many books. This is the special value of studying and projecting the synaxaria of the Orthodox Saints and the rendering of due honor and veneration to the Saints. At the same time, this is the struggle of the contemporary Orthodox Mission among the nations, that is, the formation of ecclesiastical Communities in unknown and pretty often primitive societies and the creation of the “memory of Christ”, which will be cultivated through “His continuous remembrance” and will create the bases that will pull up in the memory of the ecclesiastical |18
communities all the things said and done by Christ that were not recorded “one by one”, that is, the daily sanctification… This way we comprehend that the Mission is a basic requirement for every Church to exist, and woe to the Church that has cut its bonds with the Mission; it is like the tree that cuts off its roots on its own… It should be understood that the efforts of all the Missionaries are efforts of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and not personal pursuits on their part in order to obtain the title of the Missionary. I am not here because I love unknown and disconsolate places, or the adventurous life and action… I am not here because I love unknown and disconsolate places, or the adventurous life and action… And it is truly difficult for me to speak of Christ after two thousand years, but I think of the Apostles who spoke of the Prophets of Israel and their Prophecies despite the fact that it had been centuries since their time…”Brothers, God fulfilled His promise which he had
given through His servants, the Prophets, and sent forth His own Son…”….. I think of Christ Himself who interpreted the prophecies at the Synagogues and led the people of Israel and His Disciples to seeing, touching, living, partaking in life and death and in the Resurrection of the fulfillment of these Prophecies…And I say “this Word is not mine and I have no right to deprive It of anyone”, and I speak of Christ, about the hope of Resurrection in a world that is daily experiencing the impasse of a cheap and senseless death which “covers vast expanses of human beings” destined to live eternally… I believe that if some of the ancient Tragic writers were raised from the dead today and had the information we all have about Africa, they would continuously write new tragedies about it, in order to stigmatize and cure our criminal indifference! Of course, could a world like ours, which lacks the education of tragedy that could cultivate it, that is, the tendency for “imitation of an action that is 19|
serious, complete and of a certain magnitude”, be cultivated this way nowadays? This is a question that needs extensive discussion, because the Church actually presents a tragedy in every Eucharist Assembly: “Christ incarnated, suffering, dying, rising, ascending and coming back in glory judging the World…” Nevertheless, how many people truly experience through tragedy the eschatological dimension of the Eucharist Assembly in every liturgy? And how many accept this dimension of the Church the way it is taught by the Church itself? This is exactly the distance of all those who regard the Mission as “a utopia and a lost cause” from the reality of the Church, τwhich they probably serve for some sort of personal and emotional fulfillment, and the distance from the Mission itself, which they have neither experienced nor practiced. It is important that everyone understands what a completely different situation it is to speak and make known: • to people who have never |20
heard about Christ after 2000 years, and sow in their hearts the seeds of faith in Him • it is a different thing to speak of Christ to people who have very little knowledge of Him and something completely different, • to try to arouse the interest for the ecclesiastical way of life in people who carry in their DNA the remembrance of the experience of the ecclesiastical way of life… Let us assume that the Missionaries deal with the first and the second reality and those not involved in the Mission with the second and mainly with the third reality. The word of the Missionaries should not merely state historical events, but it should have this quality and potential to “incarnate, give birth” to Christ in human beings… and make people follow the Lord’s earthly life and have their faith certified “through the accompanying signs” of Christ’s presence in their life, and also conduce to the creation of a “memory” which will be reborn through the Mystery of Remembrance.
The word of the Shepherds in the Ancient Churches relies on the fact that “the memory” already exists…The human beings have, long for, already grow a relationship with Christ even when they appear indifferent to Him. This substantial difference between the two functions of the One and Only Ecclesiastical Word describes in the most obvious way the difficulties and the problems of the Missionaries, but also the necessity for the existence of the Missionary word in the contemporary reality of the Ancient Churches, which are characterized by complete lack of vitality…. My word may sound harsh and strictly critical… However, I think our self-criticism should be applied daily to some other theological levels as well, which will help us improve our position as Church Shepherds, and this can only be achieved through the continuous and thorough analysis of our shortcomings… The embrace of faith unto all our brothers from the insignificant brothers of our Lord in Africa…. Gregory of Cameroon 21|
GHANA
Just before the collapse Dear brothers in Christ, I am sending you my warmest greetings from Accra, the capital city of Ghana, a country that is struggling to eliminate human misery. It should be noted that the country lacks water supply network; even in the capital there is no potable water. It is worth mentioning that at the Metropolis we have two cisterns and the purchase of water costs us approximately 700 euros monthly, plus the potable water, which we have to buy as well. There are hundreds of deaths due to contaminated water on a daily basis, even in Accra. Also, sewage runs on the roadside and the risk of contagious diseases, especially various forms of hepatitis, is high. A lot of clerics as well |22
as children have died of hepatitis. In the province, things are even worse with the most terrible “disease�, famine, ravaging whole families, and in conjunction with the unsuitability of water, the worst scourge of all, these people have not only nothing to eat but also nothing to drink. Things are getting more and more difficult due to the economic crisis in Europe as well as in Greece and Cyprus, since you are the main supporters of the Missionary Work. Unfortunately, the truth is hard to say and it hurts. All of us in Africa are doing everything in our power in order to keep our Metropolises and Dioceses alive in every possible way and not have to abandon the Mission. We are struggling to maintain our schools
and institutions without any donations any more. This is why I would like to ask you to help us. If you know any schools in Greece which have school-buses that they no longer need, you could transport them in containers here in Ghana, and we could put them into circulation. This way, on the one hand, the people who go through a lot of discomfort due to lack of transport could be served, and on the other, the Metropolis would be able to have some revenues. Another thing that is necessary is the purchase of water carts for the transport of potable water to Parishes and Schools. This way, we
will be relieved not only of the high transport costs but also of the frequent infections of the pupils due to water contamination. I would kindly ask you to publish this in the next issue of your periodical “Orthodox Mission", in the hope that some warm-hearted person will be touched and help with even a small contribution. This way, we will be able to keep our work alive, because unfortunately there are no other solutions to resort to, and we are on the verge of collapse. Thanking you in advance. With love in Christ Savvas of Accra
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Captured in grief When death visits children The Orthodox Missionary Fraternity, being socially sensitive, has been a mental fellow traveler on the rough path of the impoverished peoples’ life for 50 years now. However, it is always there in order to deal with their problems, donating” joyous sunrises” to the much-afflicted children and offering them the goods that are essential to their survival. With the cooperation of the industrious missionaries, it creates: Orphanages, Schools of all levels, Clinics, Health Centers, Wells for drinkable water. It provides Common meals, Food, Clothing, Special small vehicles for the Disabled, Medicine and many others. Our Fraternity feels it is our duty to express our profound and continuous gratitude to the praiseworthy donors, who indicate benevolent intentions to God-pleasing deeds. The light of the holy grace of Christ is reflected on the mirror of their souls… However, their tender feelings for these poor children are not enough to deter death from visiting them. Nowadays, philanthropists are so scarce in number, like the diamonds in the Kalahari desert, or the embossed pebbles in the Ocean. The Orthodox Missionary Fraternity grieves for the children who shed their last tear bidding farewell to their life in the coldness of people’s insensitivity, and humbly asks for forgiveness for their untimely repose in this human tragedy. |24
Καθημερινότητα στη ζούγκλα των Πυγμαίων - Congo
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NIGERIA
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Missionary walk through the hills of Central Nigeria
Mission team from the Metropolis of Nigeria visited the green hills of central Nigeria, Benue State, the Tiv tribe after Easter. The team consisted of Metropolitan Alexander, archimandrite Cornelius and the indigenous priest-monks f. Niphon and f. Andrew as well as presbyter f. Christian. The Orthodox presence here started 7 years ago with the strange ways of God, which reveal His wish to unveil the fullness of His Truth, wherever, whenever and however He pleases and thinks fit. Then two young men, being well-educated and having special spiritual and social concerns, joined our |26
Orthodox family and became heralds of its message, initially to their own people, their families. It took big efforts and plenty of time for them to face all the challenges, but their zeal was fervent, their faith, patience and perseverance big, and their prayer ardent. Those benevolent young men of yesterday, are our priests today, f. Christian and f. Niphon. It is them that later on f. Andrew joined. The region is tough and problematic with a large percentage of illiteracy, lack of basic infrastructure in education and health, tragic shortage of drinkable water, absence
of road network, polygamy, paganism, unemployment and of course, absence of hope and vision for the majority of youth. n Saturday morning 18th May in Adikpo village was the inauguration of the Holy Church of Saint Charalambos, the first Orthodox Church in the region, while on the noon of the same day was the christening of about 50 children and adults. n Sunday 19th May, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated with the participation of a few dozens of faithful as well as local rulers. At the end of the Divine Liturgy the Bishop honored several laypersons, men and women, for their contribution to the work of the local church. The first permanent parish priest of the region, priest-monk f. Andrew, received a very warm welcome by the flock, as he was called to undertake a particularly difficult task. he next day and after a tiring and eventful journey, the team reached the village of Karmek, at the parish of Christ. Absolute poverty!! The residents’ houses, huts made from mud and straw. The Holy Church was only wooden poles with a thatched roof. So was the school. The pupils, hungry, barefoot children in torn, shabby clothes. Lots of them with serious bowel diseases and typhus due to lack of drinkable water. It was in an emotional
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From the foundation service of the school
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atmosphere that the foundation stone for the school was laid -God only knows how and when it will be built. What followed was a gathering in the Church, where words of hope and consolation were said, an icon of Christ in their hands and a cross around their neck, their Bishop’s blessing. Present were lots of the village people as well, elders, women, men and children, who left behind their work in the fields in order to come, see and listen. fter a long stay there, the Mission moved to another place of absolute, abject
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poverty and wretchedness, the newly established community of the Holy Cross. Underneath some huge trees that lovingly offer their shadow to the faithful, assembled a few dozens of people, especially young ones, in order to listen to their priests, receive their blessing and pray with them. Faces furrowed by the sun, tired from hardships and privation, hardened hands, calloused by the daily toil on the land. The hard work for a single plate of food that has to be shared by the family, the life in the mud huts, without drinkable water or electricity, with-
Children marching outside of the straw-schools
out medication. There in the most fertile part of the country, with a huge food production, these people are victims of unacceptable economic systems and social structures. wo more days full of reverence were spent in that region with gatherings of catechists and parish councils, followed by a march to east Nigeria, where most of our Orthodox parishes are. Everyone’s prayer in the Orthodox Church of Nigeria is that the Grace of God may cover and protect the new char-
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ismatic priest-monk of the region, f. Andrew, support and strengthen our brothers in the distress and hardships they go through daily. May His Grace give strength and courage to all of us in order to walk forward “even when the doors are shut” and carry the message of the Resurrection, the hope for the new world of the Kingdom of God. With a grateful heart and blessings Metr. Alexander of Nigeria
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KENYA
The water problem
How does the Holy Diocese of Kenya address such a vital and serious problem as the water problem? There are seasons, when here, a tropical country such as Kenya, it constantly rains, but there are also times of drought. During the season of rains, the nature is all green; men and animals have a lot of food and a plenty of water to live. But when there is the season of drought, things change. It is a desperate situation. Then, people and animals suffer and become unhappy. We cannot describe the extent of misery. Still, in the season of rains, the water of the lakes and rivers is very dirty. But they have no other choice but to use it for drinking, for cooking, for bathing. As a result, diseases |30
occur! The use of this water is so dangerous, that it often causes death, especially to children, which are more vulnerable. I usually visit the distant regions, to see our Christians and our schools. The sight is dreadful and depressing. The drought is so big that you can hardly see a green leaf in the nature. People are obliged to carry huge amounts of water in big buckets, to drink and cook. Many times, they have to travel for a distance of 5-10 kilometers, to find such water, which soever will be dirty. But they have no other choice – they need it for their survival ; they carry it, since without water, even polluted, there is no life. So, our Metropolis set the program of clean water
providing, to prevent deaths and infections. The wells was a first effective solution. In this way, we were able to help the people in many regions, notably where small children frequent, this is kindergartens and primary schools. Drilling for water is done with the primitive means available. No machinery is used, of course. It is by hand. So, it doesn’t cost much. But lacking even this small amount of money, they remain emptyhanded. This is why we need your help and your immediate support. In this way, we can save lifes and we’ll give life to people. With 1,000 to 2,500 euros, depending on the region, we can help these wretched people.
In Greece, Cyprus, Europe and other places, there is a plenty of water, so we cannot even imagine this tragical situation. Let us help. Our Church has undertaken actions to decrease death, misery and pain. Just think that according to United Nations’ statistics, throughout a year, up to 13 millions of children can die for lack of potable clean water. It is really a disappointing fact that governments in underdeveloped countries are indifferent to provide clean water and protect public health. The same organization informs us that, out of 53 countries, only 14 are able to guarantee drinkable water to prevent death and diseases. From the Holy Metropolis
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MALAWI
Distribution of humanitarian aid In the joyous atmosphere of Pentecost, we received the container which your love prepared and sent to us. Words seem inadequate to express the love and sweetness that this container renders to every single native in need! With joy and a sense of responsibility along with the experience we got on receiving the last container two years ago, we unloaded and stored the goods at the big newly-built Church of the Holy Trinity in Blantyre. From here the goods were distributed by the mission cars to our 15 newly established parishes throughout the country. My brothers, may you and your families be blessed for showing so much love and support to us and for comforting us in our daily struggle for survival. May God repay you manifold for your efforts and sacrifices and make you worthy to do good always. Please remember us and send us containers as frequently as you can. What we mainly ask from you though, is to remember us in your prayers and send us your spiritual support through them daily! Once more we thank you wholeheartedly for everything. May God always grant you His blessing and protection! Father Ermolaos Head of the Malawian Missionary Division 33|
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A Fervent Appeal for the construction of the Nativity Church The news of our missionary struggle here in the heart of Africa, is that by the grace of God and despite the numerous difficulties, tribulations, adversities and hardships, we maintain a high spirit and keep on fighting, even if it is for a single soul! Here in Malawi we are striving to keep the candle burning with the Orthodox light! Today, we are writing to tell you something very important. We have repeatedly appealed to your love for this matter. For two years now we have been launching appeals towards various directions but in vain. We would like to remind to your love that our Mission owns in the heart of the city of Blantyre, the second-largest city of Malawi, where we live, a rare piece of land, which was bought with plenty of sacrifices and on which His Beatitude himself Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa Theodore II laid the foundation stone in 2011, with the hope that a Holy Church will be built there in honor of the Nativity of Christ. So much time has already gone by and the Nativity icon which we buried there under the foundations, is patiently and quietly expecting a noble sponsor to appear so that the Church can be
built. Living in such financially unstable times, we do not dare ask from a donor to undertake the burden of the whole project. What we dare do though, is to ask all of you to give us an amount of money that will enable us to start the building of the Church. Once the works get started, little by little, brick by brick, God will grant that His Church will be built. It is a spiritual law that if we give one thing to God, He pays us a hundredfold in His own time and He promotes us and makes us worthy of being His precious partners! We thank wholeheartedly all of you who support the Mission in Malawi in one way or another. May God always bless you and your families. Please, my brothers, each and every one of you do your best to contribute to the realization of our noble wish in any possible way. May we all be granted to see soon the beginning of the construction of the Church of the Nativity of our Christ in the heart of Africa. With love in Christ, Father Ermolaos, Malawi 35|
Rivers of Living Water Dear brothers, By the Grace of God and with the blessings of our Archbishop Joachim we are pleased to tell you two pieces of good news. The one is that the drilling of our first well from the new series which you funded has been completed. It was delivered to us just a few days ago. The other is that after the completion of this well, we went there with four Malawian priests for group christenings, which had been scheduled long before they took place. Imagine what a beautiful combination that was! What a great blessing! On the one hand,
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the neophytes could not thank us enough for the well that we drilled for them, and on the other, their joy for joining the Orthodox Church through Baptism was unspeakable. Two joyful events occurred in one day. Since these people first drank the spiritual water believing in Jesus Christ and being baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now they can drink from the material water as well, which you so lovingly drilled for them in Likulezi, 90 km away from Blantyre. Thank you once more for your invaluable contribution. Father Ermolaos Iatrou
Food and toys for our schoolchildren
BURUNDI & RWANDA
Twilight of war, dawn of peace Burundi, Rwanda: two neighboring countries in central eastern Africa, which, from 1884, had a joint course, being German colonies until 1916 and Belgian until 1962. Their meeting with history lasted for about nineteen years starting from 1993, when the hatred between the two dominant tribes, the Tutsi and the Hutu, led to the most inhumane civil war in Africa, which culminated with a genocide, similar to which has never existed before, at least as far as I know. This fratricidal war is over now, leaving behind two bloodstained countries, about one million casualties, thousands of mutilated people, thousands of refugees who saw from one moment to another all their belongings vanish, thousands of or-
phans that wander aimlessly on the streets looking for food everywhere, even in the garbage, in order to fool their hunger. Little by little, the refugees are coming back trying to forget and start a new life, which will not be easy at all. We try to stand by them in their effort with the meager means we have at our disposal, support them and strengthen them mentally and spiritually so that they will not lose their hope or faith. They are people deprived of everything, of all those things that we take for granted: food, water, medical as well as pharmaceutical care, schooling, love‌. That is why they are content with little, especially the children. A candy, a pencil, a smile, a 37|
His Grace Innocentios in an outdoor Divine Liturgy
little hug, an acceptance, makes them happy. Our material help in these hard times is little, but they understand our care and concern for them as well as our love, whose perfect example is the benefactor of the whole world, God, Whom they long to meet. The Orthodox people of Burundi total up to three thousand, while the Greeks are only thirty. In Rwanda, the greek families can be counted on the fingers of one hand and they are not organized into a community. The flock of the Orthodox Rwandan Church is composed of a few Rus|38
sian families, very pious indeed. I have visited them a couple of times. Actually, on my last visit, on June 15th and 16th, they asked me to perform the sacrament of Unction at a family home and the next day they confessed their sins and received the Holy Communion after many years, in a liturgy conducted in the yard of a house, since there is no orthodox church. There is only one under construction, which is still incomplete. There, I was persistently asked to meet two priests of the “Anglican-Orthodox� Church (this is how they call their
church, which numbers 2,000 members), who expressed their own desire as well as the desire of all their believers to join the Orthodox Church. As far as the Burundi matters are concerned, the situation is as follows. In Bujumbura, capital city of Burundi, there is a church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, which was built in 1955 on money coming from the Greek Community and which is in urgent need of maintenance. It is a magnificent church which used to meet the needs for worship of the faithful of the whole Central Africa. Also, there is the Saint Arsenius church in the industrial area of Bujumbura. Within the same plot, there are buildings where we hope to house Computer Training schools, technical and vocational schools as well as Seminaries, which will address to those people who wish to enter the priesthood. However, they cannot operate currently due to legal impediments that concern the ownership of the land. Saint Demetrios Holy Church has not been completed yet, while the buildings that are intended for polyclinics and medical center also contravene the state legislation, which prohibits 39|
the presence of patients within the church yard. I would like to assure you that we do everything in our power to overcome these obstacles so as to satisfy not only the wish of the donors who gave that money out of the little they have but also to help the natives enjoy a better quality of life. Finally, on the borders of the Buramata province, there is an Orthodox community consisting of war refugees that have returned to their country. The church of Saint Alexios and the Twelve Apostles is incomplete, the school does not have the capacity to hold 600 pupils-four more classrooms are needed, for which they asked me 100,000 dollars. A few days ago I talked with another contractor
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who assured me that he could make them for 60,000 dollars. The amounts are large, however, apart from the fact that the economies of these countries are damaged because of the war, they themselves do not produce anything, therefore, they import everything from Kenya and other countries nearby; as a result, the prices here are burdened. This is in general the condition in our Diocese. We want to believe that once more you will show your love towards these creatures of God, the one and only Creator and Father. With my Love in Christ Innocentios of Burundi and Rwanda
Orthodox children with their priest
Malaria
The Scourge of Africa It is useful for the Mission members who travel mainly to the African countries to know a few basic things about malaria, which is endemic and plagues these countries, so that they can take the necessary precautions. What is malaria? Malaria is a serious parasitic infection caused due to plasmodium, a parasite which attacks the red blood cells. The most common kinds of this parasite that cause the disease are the following: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae and P. knowlesi. From these, Plasmodium falciparum is the most possible parasite to cause a serious infection, which, unless properly treated, can lead to death. How is malaria transmitted? The most usual way of infection is the bite of an infected female mosquito belonging to the Anopheles genus. Only mosquitoes of this species can transmit malaria, and of course, before that, they must have bitten a person infected with the parasite that causes malaria. The disease can also be transmitted through blood transfusion, organ transplant and shared use of contaminated needles or syringes. More rarely malaria can pass from mother to fetus. The parasite cannot be transmitted from one person to another 41|
through the usual social (for instance, a handshake, a kiss), or sexual intercourse. Geographical distribution of malaria The disease is endemic in over a 100 countries. According to estimates by the World Health Organization, 300-500 million people are infected every year. Most of them are children under the age of 5, while there are more than a million recorded deaths annually. Climate conditions affect the geographical as well as the seasonal distribution of the disease. In many tropical areas the disease is transmitted throughout the year while in temperate regions the transmission is practically interrupted in the cold months. More serious consequences of malaria are noticed in the sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Western Africa. Next come Oceania, Southeastern Asia and South America. During the seasonal upsurge of the disease and especially in the endemic regions and at an altitude of less than 1,500-2,000 meters, the danger is high. The mosquitoes that transmit the disease cannot survive at higher altitudes. |42
What are the symptoms of malaria? The main and most common symptoms of malaria are: high fever with chills, perspiration, headache, myalgia (muscle pain) and suffering. The fever occurs every second or third day. Other secondary symptoms are nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Also, in some cases hypoglycemia, anemia, and icterus might occur due to the destruction of the red cells (haemolysis). Unless there is prompt treatment, in severe forms of the disease there can be occurrences of neurological symptoms, renal or respiratory failure, and the patient can lapse into a coma. Most cases that result in implications or even death are due to delayed diagnosis and (or) not prompt treatment. How soon do the symptoms appear? The time of symptom occurrence varies. In most cases though, the symptoms appear within 10 days or up to 4 weeks since the bite. The infection from Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale can reappear even after 4-8 years.
Preventive measures They aim at reducing the potential risk of a mosquito bite. The mosquitoes that transmit malaria mainly bite between sunset and sunrise. This is why the following advice is strongly recommended: Choose long-sleeved clothes and long trousers to wear in order to be better protected. The bedrooms should have a mosquito bed net andor door and window screens. Use insecticides (tablets, spiral repellents or sprays), fans, air-conditioners and personal protective methods (such as mosquito repellents) before night sleep. The preventive intake of special medicines (e.g., Lariam) from those traveling to malaria-endemic countries should be arranged in consultation with their doctor. What is the cure for malaria? The cure for malaria (that is, the kind of drug and the intake period) depends on the plasmodium that causes this infection and the area where the infection occurred, due to resistance to some anti-malarial drugs. Also, the treatment depends on the age, the seriousness of the patient’s condition and the possibility of pregnancy. The anti-malarial drugs that are generally prescribed for the preven-
tion of malaria include atovaquone / proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquiine and chloroquine. There should be prompt treatment in the first stages of the disease before it becomes chronic or develops into a more severe form. The drugs used in self-treatment patterns are: artemether/ lumefantrine, dihydroartemisinin/ piperaquine, atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, quinine, cllindamycin, mefloquine, primaquine and chloroquine. The persons frequently exposed to the plasmodium of malaria in the endemic countries are gradually developing a partial immunity, which means that they do not fall ill with severe symptoms. However, this immunity does not last for long if they go far from the endemic countries of their residence, therefore they can contract a new infection from the parasite. Is there any vaccine against malaria? Currently there is no vaccine against malaria. However, the researches for the creation of a vaccine are progressing and vaccines against malaria are expected to be released in the near future. 43|
Malaria and Orthodox Mission Abroad The Orthodox Missionary Fraternity in Thessalonica, is one of the institutions that, inter alia, has developed remarkable action, also aiming, directly or indirectly, at combating malaria in the so-called “countries of the Third World�. It is obvious the fact that in the poor countries of the Third World the chances of taking preventive measures are limited, and so is the access to reliable and prompt medical treatment. As a result, a large number of people contract the disease and remain helpless despite our efforts. Μain source:KEELPNO/Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention Karampatakis Vassilios Professor - Ophthalmologist, Regular member of the Fraternity Nakos Elias Military Ophthalmologist
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Columns of Gratitude Donations from 01.05.2013 to 31.07.2013
Names can be found in printed issue only.
"For God loves a cheerful giver"
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Attributions 3 Nicholas Petrone 4 Ian Britton 6 Roberto Faccenda 15 Martien Uiterweerd 22 hbieser 26 Leandro Neumann Ciuffo 30 hdptcar 32 Eileen Delhi 37 nonformality 41 Macomb Paynes, AJC1 42-43 4Cheungs • 45 Jay 46 rayand
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1963-2013: Fellow travelers in the Orthodox Mission in the nations for 50 years