With the blessing of His Beatitude our Patriarch Theodoros II, we are continuing the first pastoral visit in the Missionary Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar.
The next stop of our visit was Antsohihy, where we were welcomed with much love by the parish priest, Fr Ilias, together with the children and adults who were eagerly waiting to receive Holy Baptism.
Our joy was indescribable. Despite the great difficulties we face in the area, as there is still no church – the newly founded parish is dedicated to Saint Basil the Great – there was neither a font nor even basic facilities for performing the Sacrament. But when there is faith, love and trust in God, every obstacle is overcome.
So we performed the baptisms in the waters of the river, out in nature, in an area where there are wild animals, even dangerous snakes. With the blessing of our Lord, however, everything took place peacefully and safely. We remembered the Lord’s words in the Holy Gospel: “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions…” (Luke 10:19). And indeed, none of these dangerous animals troubled us.
Young and old received Holy Baptism and became the first Orthodox Christians of the area. We pray that their shining example may lead many more people to come to know Christ and join the Orthodox Church. We hope, by the grace of God, to return often to Antsohihy to continue the missionary work and to see the Church grow.
From our hearts we thank all of you who support with your love, prayers and offerings the missionary work of the Missionary Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar. Without your support, much of what is being achieved would be impossible. May God grant you His rich blessing and repay a hundredfold every act of love towards the mission.
