Author: tsit.geo

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.

▶ Video on Facebook

Message of His Grace Bishop Nephon of Majunga and North Madagascar on the Results of the Panhellenic Examinations.

My beloved children,

On the occasion of the announcement of the results of the Panhellenic Examinations, I wish to express to all of you my undivided love, my warmest wishes and the prayers that accompany your new beginning.

First of all, I congratulate from my heart those who managed to achieve their goal. Your success is the vindication of your labours, your perseverance and your personal sacrifices. I pray that the Lord may light every next step you take, so that your academic path may become the foundation for offering love and goodness to our society.

With exactly the same fatherly love, my thoughts also turn to you who did not see the result you hoped for. Do not let, my children, an exam judge your worth or extinguish your dreams. Life opens many different paths, and often God leads our steps where we do not expect, for our own good. Do not lose your faith, your courage and your hope. Every difficulty in life can become the beginning of a new, even more beautiful start.

Remember, my children, that true success in life is not simply getting into a university. Real success is to become people of character, deep faith and love, with the strength to continue the good struggle, whatever difficulties may come your way.

From faraway Madagascar and from the Missionary Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar, I send you my warmest fatherly wishes. I pray wholeheartedly that Christ may bless every new step you take, grant you health, wisdom and strength, and that the Most Holy Theotokos may always shelter you with her motherly protection.

With fatherly love and wishes,

† His Grace the Bishop of Majunga and North Madagascar
Nephon

With the blessing of His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, today we performed the first Holy Baptisms in the city of Diego Suarez, marking the new beginning of the Parish of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel.

By the grace of God, the first new Orthodox Christians of the parish were reborn through Holy Baptism. We pray that this blessed day may be the beginning of a great missionary journey in this city, so that we may return many more times and lead a multitude of people onto the path of salvation of our Lord and God Jesus Christ.

Deeply moved, I thank from the depths of my heart all those who welcomed us with so much love, warmth and hospitality.

After the Holy Baptisms there followed a traditional meal, offered by the Bishop of North Madagascar in honour of the newly illumined and all those present.

Glory to God for all things!

---

PUBLICATION by the International Church News Agency “ORTHODOXIA”

https://www.orthodoxianewsagency.gr/patriarxeia/patriarxio_aleksandrias/oi-protes-vaptiseis-stin-poli-ntiegko-souares-tis-madagaskaris/

By the grace of God, today we made a pastoral visit to the Parish of the Holy Apostles in Diego Suarez.

There we had the blessing of overseeing the preparations for the forthcoming Holy Sacraments of Baptism, and at the same time we saw the progress of the works on the building complex under construction, which is intended to meet the growing needs of the Missionary Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar in the area.

Recently our Missionary Diocese took another decisive step to establish and strengthen the Orthodox presence in Diego Suarez, by appointing a permanent priest to the Parish of the Holy Apostles. With this vacancy filled, the continuous pastoral care of the faithful is now assured, as well as the regular celebration of the Divine Liturgy and the Holy Sacraments of our Church.

The city of Diego Suarez holds a prominent place in the strategic planning of our Mission. Our aim and hope is for it to become the second great pillar of the growth of Orthodoxy in North Madagascar, alongside the see of our Diocese in Majunga.

Afterwards we went to the business premises of the Greek businessman Mr Taloumis, who has been active for many years in North Madagascar, running one of the most important salt production units in the region. Although he himself was away, we had the opportunity to meet his excellent associates. They received us very warmly, showed us around the premises and informed us in detail about its operation. Through his associates, we conveyed our warm and heartfelt thanks to Mr Taloumis for his constant and many-sided support of the work of the Orthodox Mission. Thanks to his generous financial sponsorship, the buildings are being built that will house the administrative, pastoral and guest facilities of our Diocese in Diego Suarez, laying solid foundations for the further fruitfulness of the church’s work.

Next, we visited the building site of the new Episcopal Centre, where we met the works manager and were briefed on the progress of the project. With special satisfaction we learned that the works are proceeding smoothly and on schedule, so that, God willing, the facilities will be fully completed and operational by the end of August.

We express from the depths of our heart our grateful thanks to Mr Taloumis for his precious and God-pleasing offering, and to all his Greek associates for the Abrahamic hospitality, the courtesy and the love with which they surrounded us. We wholeheartedly pray that the all-good God, Giver of every gift, may grant Mr Taloumis, his associates and their families health of soul and body, mighty strength and every blessing, repaying a hundredfold their practical love and support for our Orthodox Mission.

Glory to God!

The works to restore and renovate the school in Ambovondramanesy are continuing at an intensive pace, so that, by the grace of God, it will be ready to welcome the pupils at the start of the new school year.

I would like to express, once again, my warm and heartfelt thanks to the Association “Saint Kosmas the Aetolian”, which with love and self-denial undertook the restoration of the school, offering the children of the area hope for a better tomorrow through education.

Your practical support is a precious offering to the missionary work of the Holy Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar and shows your love for your fellow human beings, and especially for the children of Madagascar.

We pray that the all-good God, through the intercessions of Saint Kosmas the Aetolian, may richly bless all the benefactors, donors and all who labour to complete this blessed work.

With fatherly love and gratitude,

† The Bishop of Majunga and North Madagascar

▶ Video on Facebook

With the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, and with special joy, we were found worthy today to celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of Saints Zacharias and Elizabeth, in the beautiful seaside town of Antalaha, on the shores of the Indian Ocean.

After the Divine Liturgy we had the great blessing of performing the Holy Sacrament of Baptism for small children and also for several adults, who came with faith and love to become members of the Orthodox Church.

Every Divine Liturgy and every Baptism fills us with strength, hope and responsibility to continue the missionary work of the Missionary Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar. We have unshakeable faith that Christ Himself is the guide and the pillar of our ministry. He strengthens us, enlightens us and blesses every step of our journey.

Our prayer and longing is that more and more people in North Madagascar may come to know the Orthodox faith, become members of the Church of Christ and live the joy of life in Christ.

Glory to God for all things.

---

After the Divine Liturgy and the Holy Baptisms came time for a little rest and joy. We took the opportunity, as today is also the World Cup final, to play football with the children in the courtyard.

Their shouts, laughter and smiles were the greatest reward for all of us. Our joy cannot be described; it shows on our faces, in the game and in the beautiful moments we live together.

These simple moments are precious. For mission is not only inside the church, but also beside the children, sharing with them love, time and an embrace full of hope.

Glory to God for everything!

▶ Videos on Facebook: Video 1 · Video 2

With the blessing and fatherly love of His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, and with special joy and much emotion, on the fourth day of our pastoral and missionary journey of love, we performed the Sacrament of Holy Baptism in the village of Ambohimanarina, in the Sambava area, in Antsiranana, North Madagascar.

Today, by the grace of God, we were found worthy to baptise 20 children and adults, who became members of the Orthodox Church. Our emotion was great, especially as among them were many small children, who are the future of the Church and of the local community.

In a truly paradise-like natural landscape, which reveals the greatness of God’s creation and lifts the mind and heart of man towards the Creator, the Lord granted us the great blessing of passing on the Gospel and the message of Christ’s salvation to the ends of the earth, here in North Madagascar, in the Missionary Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar.

After the baptisms we also performed the Sacrament of Marriage for a young couple who had come to Christ. The bride was baptised the same day and received the name Anna, and two of the family’s three children were also baptised.

After the Holy Sacraments of Baptism and Marriage, the Bishop offered a meal of love for all the newly illumined, their families and the villagers. The food was prepared with much love and care by the people of the village themselves.

We all sat together at the same table, young and old; we shared the food, the joy and the blessing of the day, living in practice the spirit of Christian love and unity. It was an experience full of simplicity, authenticity and selfless hospitality.

The photos capture in the best way this unique moment, when faith, love and joy came together as one big family around the shared table.

The missionary work in North Madagascar continues unceasingly and, by the grace of God, grows stronger every day, bringing more and more souls close to Christ and to the Orthodox Church.

We express from our hearts our warm thanks to all of you who support our Diocese, both with your prayers and love and with your financial support. Your offering enables us to continue this blessed work, so that even more people may come to know Christ and become members of the Orthodox Church.

Glory to God for all things!

▶ Videos on Facebook: Video 1 · Video 2

On the second stop of his pastoral visit, His Grace the Bishop of Majunga and North Madagascar visited the Parish of Saint Nektarios in Port-Bergé, where he met the parish priest, Father Ilarion.

During the visit, the needs of the holy church and its grounds were recorded on site. In view of the baptisms to be held in two days, the necessary instructions were given so that the preparation work could be completed immediately and the church be ready to receive the faithful.

The necessary works form part of the immediate planning of the Holy Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar, with the aim of upgrading the church and its grounds so that it is fully functional, dignified and meets the increased pastoral needs of the area.

At the same time, ways of making use of the parish’s large grounds are being examined, in order to develop activities that will offer real support to the local people and, at the same time, contribute to the sustainability and growth of the Diocese’s missionary work, making the land productive for the benefit of the local community.

▶ Videos on Facebook: Video 1 · Video 2

The first stop of our pastoral visit to the parishes of the Holy Diocese was Ambovondramanesy. On this visit we were accompanied by the contractor who has undertaken the important work of rebuilding the school. This important project, which we had already announced, is now, by the grace and blessing of God, entering the stage of implementation.

▶ Video on Facebook

Programme of the Pastoral Visit
of His Grace the Bishop of Majunga and North Madagascar
14 July – 2 August 2026

By the grace of God, His Grace the Bishop of Majunga and North Madagascar will make a pastoral visit to the parishes of the Holy Diocese, according to the following programme:

Sambava Mission Station
Responsible: Fr Athanasios
• Tuesday 14 July: Departure for Sambava.
• Thursday 16 July: Arrival in Sambava.

• Friday 17 July: Celebration of Baptism and of the Sacrament of Marriage at the Ambohimanarina river.

• Saturday 18 July: Afternoon departure for Antalaha (journey time: about 1 hour).

Antalaha Mission Station
Responsible: Fr Matthaios
• Sunday 19 July: Baptism of 21 catechumens.
• Tuesday 21 July: Departure for Diego (journey time: about 11 hours).
Diego Mission Station
Responsible: Fr Charalambos
• Tuesday 21 July: Arrival in Diego.
• Wednesday 22 July: Celebration of Baptisms.
• Thursday 23 July: Departure for Antsohihy.
Antsohihy Mission Station
Responsible: Fr Ilias
• Friday 24 July: Celebration of Baptisms.
• Saturday 25 July: Departure for Port-Bergé.
Port-Bergé Mission Station
Responsible: Fr Ilarion
• Sunday 26 July: Divine Liturgy and celebration of Baptisms.
• Monday 27 July: Departure for Ambondromamy.
Ambondromamy Mission Station
Responsible: Fr Evmenios
• Tuesday 28 July: Celebration of Baptisms.

• Wednesday 29 July: Return to Mahajanga, awaiting departure for Masokoamena.

The pastoral visit will last from 14 July to 2 August 2026.

We ask the faithful to pray for the success of this pastoral mission and to take part in the sacred services and worship gatherings that will take place during the visit.

With special emotion and great joy, today for the first time we raised the Greek flag on the flagpole outside the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Majunga, Madagascar.

The Holy Church of Saint Nicholas has special historical significance, as it is the first Orthodox church built by Greeks in Madagascar, in 1923. This historic church was built by Nikolas the Cretan, who with faith, love and devotion laid the foundations of Orthodoxy and of the Greek presence in North Madagascar. From then until today, the church has remained a living symbol of faith, of the presence of Hellenism and of Orthodox witness on this great island.

Our joy and emotion are indescribable, because we have been found worthy to become ambassadors of Greece, of the Greek spirit and of Orthodoxy in this faraway and blessed country.

The Greek flag that now flies beside our Cathedral is a symbol of faith, of hope and of the unbroken presence of Hellenism. It proclaims that in North Madagascar there is a living hearth of Greece and of Orthodoxy, working every day for the glory of God and the service of people.

Our mission is to carry the light of the Gospel, to help people come to know Christ and walk in His saving footsteps, and at the same time to stand by them with love and practical support in their difficulties and everyday problems.

Our flag reminds us of our roots, our history and our responsibility to continue the work of the pioneering Greeks who left an indelible mark on Madagascar, preserving the faith and the Greek tradition for the generations to come.

Glory to God for all things! 🇬🇷☦️

With the blessings of His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, and with feelings of deep praise to the all-good God, the ordination to the diaconate of Father Stavros was performed at the Holy Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Majunga.

This day is a special blessing for our local Church and for the Orthodox Mission. The ordination of a local cleric is especially significant, because he is a person who knows the language, the culture, the traditions and the real needs of his people. He can stand by the people, share their anxieties and pass on the message of the Gospel in a living and understandable way.

Orthodox Mission is not built only with churches and projects, but above all with people who dedicate their lives to the service of Christ. That is why raising up and supporting local clergy is one of the most important conditions for the establishment and fruitfulness of the Church in Madagascar and throughout Africa.

We pray that our Lord may grant Father Stavros health, strength, humility and the rich grace of the Holy Spirit, so that he may serve His Church with zeal and become a shining example of faith and love.

† Nephon
Bishop of Majunga and North Madagascar

---

After the Divine Liturgy and the ordination, His Grace Bishop Nephon of Majunga and North Madagascar offered a festive meal in honour of the newly ordained Father Stavros, his family and friends at the Baobab Tree hotel on the beach of Majunga, in an atmosphere of joy, thanksgiving to God and brotherly fellowship. From the Holy Diocese

With great joy I met today at the see of our Holy Diocese, at the Holy Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Majunga, with the young people of the area, many of whom are candidates for the priesthood and are preparing to dedicate themselves to the service of our Holy Church.

We discussed issues that concern them, as well as the ways in which they can contribute actively to the missionary work of our Diocese. At the same time, we decided to found a Youth Group, with the aim of strengthening young people’s participation in the life of the Church, cultivating new priestly and missionary vocations and staffing the church work of our Holy Diocese.

The presence and enthusiasm of the young people fill us with hope and optimism for the future of our local Church. I pray that the all-good God, through the intercessions of Saint Nicholas, may grant them health, enlightenment and strength, so that they remain faithful to their calling and their ministry, to the glory of God and the benefit of people.

By the grace of God, the works for the building of the Priests’ House and the Bishop’s House at the second missionary centre of the Holy Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar, in Diego, are continuing at an intensive pace! In a few days we will go there to bless the progress of the works and to pray for their swift and safe completion, to the glory of God and the service of our local Church. At the same time, we will have the joy and blessing of meeting our benefactors and donors in person. We want to express to them our heartfelt thanks, because with their love, trust and generous giving they make the missionary work of our Diocese a reality. May the all-good God grant them health, strength and His rich blessings!

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Holy Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar announces with special joy that, by the grace of the All-holy God, on Sunday 12 July 2026, at the Holy Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, the see of our Holy Diocese in Majunga, the ordination to the priesthood of the until now Deacon Stavros (Ilias) Rajaonarivony will take place.

The candidate for the priesthood was born on 28 March 1980 in Ambilobe. He is the son of the late Rajaonarivony Joseph and of Elisabeth.

He was baptised into the Orthodox Church and celebrated the Holy Sacrament of Marriage on 4 April 2026 in Majunga, receiving at Holy Baptism the name Stavros.

On 5 April 2026 he was ordained a Deacon at the Holy Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Majunga.

We invite the holy clergy and the devout people to take part prayerfully in this joyful day for our local Church, so that the Lord may grant the new Priest health, strength, enlightenment and rich blessing for a fruitful ministry in the vineyard of the Orthodox Church and of the Mission in North Madagascar.

From the Holy Diocese
of Majunga and North Madagascar

With God’s help and the fatherly blessings of His Divine Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, the electric lighting works in the grounds of the Holy Church of Saint Nicholas in Majunga have been successfully completed.

The Holy Church of Saint Nicholas is the see of the Holy Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar and the spiritual centre of the local Orthodox Church, from where the pastoral, missionary and charitable work of our Diocese develops.

This project became reality thanks to the great love, sensitivity and practical support of the devout Christians who support the missionary work of our Holy Diocese. We express to all our warm and heartfelt thanks, praying that our Lord may grant them health, strength and His rich blessing.

Our Holy Diocese continues its work with faith and hope, for the glory of God and the service of the people of North Madagascar.

▶ Video on Facebook

Let us glorify and thank the all-good God, who continually blesses and strengthens our missionary effort and sends us the necessary goods, so that we may offer them with love to our fellow human beings in North Madagascar.

We express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who, with love and a spirit of sacrifice, have helped the work of our Holy Diocese. Out of their own need they offered precious items, which will bring relief to families, children and people who struggle every day.

In particular, I feel the need to thank from the depths of my heart our dear brothers and sisters from Corinth, who with much love and effort carried out this great undertaking. Their offering is a practical testimony of Christian love and solidarity.

I wholeheartedly pray that our Lord Jesus Christ and the Most Holy Theotokos may always grant them health, strength, peace and every blessing in their lives, repaying a hundredfold the love they offer to our brothers and sisters of the mission.

With fatherly love and gratitude,
† The Bishop of Majunga and North Madagascar
Nephon

▶ Video on Facebook

With special joy and deep emotion we signed today the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Holy Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar and the supervising engineer and contractor for the reconstruction of the Primary School, which is already operating, and for the building and operation of the new Secondary School, which will welcome its pupils for the first time in the new school year in the parish of Saints Constantine and Helen, in Ambovondramanesy.

This important project is being carried out with the blessing of His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, who constantly supports the missionary work of the Orthodox Church on the African continent.

Our joy is especially great, because a long-standing request of the pupils, their families and the whole local community is now becoming reality. Education is the foundation on which the future of children and the progress of society are built.

This project has been made possible thanks to the great love, sensitivity and practical support of the Association “Saint Kosmas the Aetolian” of Thessaloniki, which embraced the vision of our Holy Diocese and contributed decisively to its realisation.

From the depths of our hearts we express our warmest thanks to all who contributed to the start of this important work. We pray that the all-good God, through the intercessions of our Panagia and Saint Kosmas the Aetolian, may grant everyone health, strength and His rich blessing, so that they may continue to support the missionary work of the Holy Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar.

Those who wish to support this great work of education and Orthodox Mission in North Madagascar can contribute through the bank account of our Holy Diocese, National Bank of Greece (ETE), IBAN: GR1701105050000091001239788. Every gift, small or large, is a precious blessing and an investment in the future of the children of Madagascar. We warmly thank you for your love and trust.

A photo inside an aeroplane. For most people, just another flight. But for some, the beginning of yet another mission of love.

Father Panagiotis with the Most Reverend hierarchs Daniel (Ghana), Nephon (North Madagascar) and Ignatios (Central Madagascar), bound for Africa, where faith meets hope and service becomes a daily act of life.

For true mission is not written only in books; it is written on the faces of people who serve quietly, with faith, love and sacrifice.

With God’s help and the venerable blessing of His Divine Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, we are continuing the works on the Episcopal Residence and the priest’s house, on the grounds of the Holy Church of the Holy Archangels in Diego.

With special joy and emotion, and with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Titos of Kydonia and Apokoronas, we performed the blessing of the petrol station in Gerani, in the Municipality of Platanias, in the presence of a large crowd.

Everyone was deeply moved, as the station had remained closed for three and a half years. Its reopening awakens memories, images of love and beautiful moments, but at the same time gives birth to hope for a new, creative beginning.

This station is a landmark and a point of reference for the local community of Gerani, and its reopening marks a new era of optimism and progress for our area.

We pray that the all-good God may always bless the owners, the staff and all who will visit, granting them health, strength and every success in this new beginning.

With feelings of deepest gratitude to the all-good God, the Giver of every gift, today we held the foundation-stone ceremony for the Episcopal Residence and the priest’s house, on the grounds of the Holy Church of the Holy Archangels in Diego.

Today is another bright and historic milestone in the spiritual journey of the Missionary Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar. The Diego area, notable for its great prospects, is one that we hope, with God’s help, will develop into a second strong centre of our Mission. Our aim is that, through systematic pastoral presence, catechesis and charitable work in general, even more of our fellow human beings may come to know the Orthodox faith and become living members of our Holy Church.

From the very beginning, when we took up our episcopal duties, our first concern and heartfelt care was to fill the vacant post of parish priest of this parish. By the grace and mercy of God, the community now has a permanent priest, ensuring the regular celebration of the Holy Services, the spiritual guidance of the people of God and the further development of the missionary effort in the wider area.

The building of the Episcopal Residence and the priest’s house is the natural and necessary continuation of this ministry. It is not merely the creation of two buildings, but the founding of a permanent Orthodox church presence, which will support our pastoral work in practice and become the centre of Orthodox witness in the whole region.

From the depths of our heart we express our warmest and most sincere thanks to Mr Panagiotis Taloumis, Honorary Consul General of Greece and Cyprus in Madagascar. Moved by sincere zeal and love for the Church and the Gospel, he has taken on the entire cost of building these two houses from the foundations. This generous and noble gift is a precious legacy for the future of our Mission and will remain indelibly written in the pages of the history of our local Church.

We pray to our Lord Jesus Christ that, through the intercessions of the Holy Archangels, He may grant Mr Taloumis and his honourable family health, long life, strength and every blessing from above, repaying a hundredfold his love and practical support for the missionary work.

With unshakeable faith in God’s providence, with the high and venerable blessing of His Divine Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa and the support of our benefactors, we continue tirelessly to build not only material buildings but above all living parish communities, cultivating the Orthodox faith and hope in the hearts of the people of North Madagascar.

With God’s help and the venerable blessing of His Divine Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, the architectural, technical and structural study for the construction of the Bishop’s House at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Majunga has been completed.

Caption: “Photorealistic rendering of the Bishop’s House at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Majunga.”

With special joy, the Holy Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar organised a festive event for the children at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, honouring the National Independence Day of Madagascar.

Happy and blessed Independence Day to all the people of Madagascar!”

▶ Videos on Facebook: Video 1 · Video 2