A day of great blessing for our Diocese and the village of Ambovondramanesy
Today the village of Ambovondramanesy lived a day of great joy, emotion and blessing. At the Holy Church of Saints Constantine and Helen, our Missionary Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar was found worthy to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and two ordinations: of the Monk Iakovos to the Diaconate and of Deacon Paisios to the Priesthood.
The people’s joy was overwhelming. The villagers, with a great thirst for Christ, took part with enthusiasm and love in the ordinations, showing that the Church is becoming day by day their spiritual home.
After the Divine Liturgy we performed the Holy Baptism of ten new Christians, who entered the Orthodox Church of Christ. We were especially moved by the fact that among them were older people, as well as the Mayor of the area, who received the name Andreas, in honour of the First-called Apostle.
We express our warm thanks to all who contributed to this effort and to creating the conditions for the development of important projects in the area. With God’s help, new paths are opening for the Church, for education and for supporting people.
In the same place, with God’s help, the existing school is being redeveloped so that it becomes truly functional and able to meet the needs of modern times. At the same time, we are proceeding with the creation of a Secondary School, offering the children and young people of the area better educational opportunities and a better future.
We address especially warm congratulations to Fr Methodios, parish priest of the parish of Saints Constantine and Helen, who is waging a truly great daily struggle for the spiritual progress of his parish, for supporting people and for the growth of the Church in the area. His offering, his love and his tireless effort are an important contribution to the work of the Mission and deserve our special gratitude and fatherly recognition.
For the Church, Mission means faith, education, hope and love for people.
After the baptisms the Diocese offered a traditional meal, as is customary on every such joyful day, and we all celebrated together as one big spiritual family.
Today in Ambovondramanesy we did not simply experience two ordinations and ten baptisms. We experienced the joy of the Church that is growing, the hope that is being born, and Christ becoming ever more known and loved by the people of this blessed place.
Glory to God for all things!
† Bishop Nephon
Missionary Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar
