A day of special blessing and joy for our Mission
Today, the day on which our Holy Church honours the memory of Saint Alexander, we were found worthy, by a special blessing from God and with the blessing of His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, to perform, during the Divine Liturgy, the ordination to the priesthood of Father Alexandros Karachalios.
Our joy was especially great, as Fr Alexandros is the first Greek, from Athens, to be ordained a priest in our Diocese, and he comes to offer his strength and his whole life to the Mission.
He is now a valuable co-worker and a valuable helper in the work of our local Church. We pray that the grace of God, who chose him and called him to serve His Church, may always grant him strength, health, patience and special zeal for the Mission, so that he may offer himself with self-denial and love in the service of the people of God.
Before the end of the Divine Liturgy, we also elevated him to Spiritual Father (confessor) and Protopresbyter, so that he can devote himself entirely to the Mission and serve more fully the Sacraments of our Church and the spiritual needs of the people.
The “Bag of Life”
After the Divine Liturgy, in the courtyard of our Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, we carried out another act of love and giving.
We distributed the “Bag of Life”, which we had prepared for the people of our city who are in need.
The joy on the faces of these people, and their gratitude, were overwhelming. Each bag contained food that will provide them with what they need for their daily meals for several days.
After the distribution of the “Bag of Life”, the Bishop and Fr Alexandros offered refreshments to the people there, giving them a little more joy, love and human warmth.
It was a beautiful moment of fellowship and love, as we all shared these simple refreshments together, reminding us that the Church is close to people not only by offering material help, but also love, respect, comfort and hope.
And this is only the beginning.
We are starting an effort which, with God’s help, we want to extend throughout our Diocese, so that we can stand by people who are suffering, ease their pain and difficulties, and help them continue their lives with more dignity, hope and strength.
I want, once again, to thank everyone who helped gather all this food and bring it here, so that today it could be shared with our fellow human beings who need it.
Everything that happens here, in our Mission and in our Diocese, happens thanks to your love.
A love that comes from Thessaloniki, from Corinth and from many other cities of Greece. A love that travels thousands of kilometres and arrives here, to become food, support, hope and a smile for the people of Africa.
I thank you from the depths of my heart.
May God bless all of you, your families and every person who gives out of their need or out of their abundance for the work of the Mission.
And I pray that the Holy God, through the intercessions of Saint Alexander, may strengthen our new Priest, Fr Alexandros, and bless every effort made for the glory of His Holy Name and for the relief of people.
I thank you all from the depths of my heart.
