Author: tsit.geo

FESTAL DIVINE LITURGY OF THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS. Presided over by His Grace Bishop Nephon of Majunga and North Madagascar. Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, Majunga.

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“Today is the crowning of our salvation…”. With these sacred words our Holy Church celebrates the great event of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. The Archangel Gabriel brings the joyful message and the humble maiden of Nazareth answers with the saving “Be it unto me according to Thy word”. And so begins the mystery of the salvation of the world.

My brothers and sisters, today has a double meaning for us Greeks. Together with the Annunciation of our Panagia, we also celebrate the beginning of the Greek Revolution of 1821, when our ancestors, after centuries of slavery, raised the banner of freedom.

Those people, simple but deeply faithful, did not have great strength, but they had something very powerful: their faith in God and their love for the Panagia. Through trials, deprivation and sacrifice, they fought “for faith and fatherland” and were found worthy of freedom. And just as the Panagia then became the beginning of salvation, so for our Nation she became the protector and the hope in difficult times. My dear brothers and sisters,

Today we are far from our homeland, here in Madagascar, in the work of mission. But our faith is the same, the Church is the same and our Panagia is present everywhere. Mission is another struggle: not with weapons, but with love, sacrifice and witness to Christ. It is a struggle so that people may be freed from ignorance, pain and despair, and come to know the light of the Gospel. Just as the fighters of 1821 fought for the freedom of the homeland, so we too are called to struggle for the spiritual freedom of people, wherever we may be.

My brothers and sisters, our Panagia with her “Be it unto me” shows us the way: to trust God, to humble ourselves and to say “yes” to His will. Only in this way does true freedom come, the freedom of the soul. After the Divine Liturgy we all went out together to the grounds of the Holy Church, where a holy icon of the Most Holy Theotokos had been placed. There a short supplication and prayer took place. On this spot, by the grace of God, a monument is to be erected in the future, dedicated to all those who lost their lives and have fallen asleep, both here and in Greece, as a sign of remembrance, honour and prayer. Let us ask the Most Holy Theotokos to shelter us all, to strengthen the work of mission and to grant peace and light to people’s hearts.

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In an atmosphere of spiritual joy, the Festal Vespers of the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos were celebrated today in faraway Madagascar, specifically in Majunga, the see of our Diocese.

We brought to everyone’s mind the Annunciation to the Theotokos by the Archangel Gabriel and the joyful message of the incarnation of the Son and Word of God, the second Person of the Holy Trinity, as it is written: “and the Word became flesh”.

At the same time, we honoured with due reverence our great National Feast, the anniversary of the rebirth and liberation of our Homeland from the oppressive Turkish yoke that lasted four hundred years.

Tomorrow morning at 07:30, the Festal Divine Liturgy will be celebrated, followed by the Doxology for the National Feast. Then we will go out into the courtyard, where we will hold a Trisagion at the place where a monument will be erected dedicated to the departed Greeks who lived in our Diocese.

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The service of Vespers concluded with the Greek National Anthem, sung in unison and with deep emotion by clergy and laity, Greeks and Malagasy alike, giving living witness to the unity of faith and love in Christ.

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At the conclusion of the Festal Divine Liturgy and the Doxology for the National Anniversary, our National Anthem was sung.

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SUNDAY OF LENT (SAINT JOHN CLIMACUS). Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, Holy Church of Saint Nicholas, Majunga, Sunday 22 March 2026.

During our pastoral visit to the countryside yesterday, we sought personal contact with our brothers and sisters, in order to listen to their concerns and see their current needs. In a spirit of Christian love and genuine concern, we sought to perceive at first hand the conditions of their daily life and to understand more deeply the hardships they face, so as to contribute, as far as we are able, to their comfort and practical support.

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With due ecclesiastical compunction and religious reverence, the Fourth Salutations to the Most Holy Theotokos were celebrated today at the Holy Church of Saints Constantine and Helen in the community of Ambovondramanesy, 60 kilometres from the city of Majunga. The service was held at midday, in difficult conditions due to the high temperatures and the complete lack of electricity in the area, which required the service to end before sunset. On our arrival we received a warm welcome from the faithful of the parish and especially from a crowd of children, who with childlike simplicity and trust told us about the needs and problems facing both the school community and the local Parish. With fatherly affection and spiritual care, we assured the faithful that every possible effort will be made, with God’s help, so that in the near future we can contribute substantially to remedying the shortages and meeting the needs of the area. Then the Service of the Akathist Hymn to the Most Holy Theotokos was chanted reverently. After the service, small crosses and treats were distributed to all the children and the faithful present, as a token of fatherly love and for spiritual strengthening and blessing. May our Lady the Theotokos shelter, guard and strengthen the work of us all.

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With due ecclesiastical order, the ordination to the diaconate of Fr Paisios was performed by His Grace Bishop Nephon of Majunga and North Madagascar. The sacrament took place at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in the see of the Diocese, Majunga, during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday 15 March. The newly ordained, who received the name Paisios, is the first deacon ordained by the new Shepherd of this diocese, marking a new period for the local missionary Church.

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With special splendour, liturgical dignity and deep ecclesiastical compunction, the enthronement ceremony of His Grace Bishop Nephon of Majunga and North Madagascar took place today at the Holy Church of Saint Nicholas in Majunga, marking a historic and blessed moment for the Orthodox Church of Madagascar. The enthronement was performed by His Eminence Metropolitan Ignatios of Antananarivo and Central Madagascar, as representative of His Divine Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodoros II, concelebrating with His Grace Bishop Prodromos of Toliara and South Madagascar. The personality of Patriarch Theodoros II is a beacon of spiritual inspiration, wisdom and unity for the Church throughout Africa; it embodies fatherly care, missionary concern and spiritual guidance for the spiritual flock of the African land, which thirsts for the word of God. The presence of the hierarchs showed the synodality of the Church and the living continuity of apostolic ministry, which is put into practice through the many-sided missionary work of the Patriarchate of Alexandria on the African continent. Under the inspired guidance of Patriarch Theodoros II, missionary activity takes on a lasting and organised character, aiming at the consolidation of Orthodoxy and the growth in Christ of the local Churches. The enthronement of His Grace Nephon has special ecclesiological significance, as he is the first Bishop of the newly founded Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar. This event marks the establishment of the local Church in the region and the further development of the missionary work. The Bishop, as successor of the Holy Apostles and visible sign of the unity of the local Church, is called to shepherd the spiritual flock of Christ with love, a spirit of sacrifice and apostolic responsibility. During the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, holy ordinations also took place, showing the vitality and spiritual fruitfulness of the local Church. During the Divine Liturgy, Deacon Damianos was ordained a priest, receiving the name Evmenios, and then the subdeacon was ordained a deacon, being renamed Paisios. The ordinations were performed by the new Shepherd of the Diocese, His Grace Nephon. After the Divine Liturgy, the enthronement of the new Bishop Nephon was performed by His Eminence Metropolitan Ignatios. In the presence of the local authorities and a multitude of faithful who filled the Holy Church and its courtyard, the local Church welcomed its new Shepherd with feelings of joy and hope, looking forward to a fruitful new pastoral period. This historic day is a milestone for the Orthodox presence in North Madagascar, marking the beginning of a new and fruitful pastoral period. The enthronement of the first Bishop of the newly established Diocese is undeniable testimony to the blessed progress and fruitfulness of the many-sided missionary work of Patriarch Theodoros II, under whose guidance the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria continues to bring the light of Christ to all of Africa, and especially to Madagascar.

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This bright day of the enthronement of His Grace Bishop Nephon of Majunga and North Madagascar was crowned with a festive meal offered to all those present. In an atmosphere of spiritual joy, brotherly unity and warm thanksgiving to God, the faithful shared the common table, glorifying the Lord for His rich gifts and blessings to the new Diocese.

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With the participation of a multitude of faithful, who filled the Holy Church of Saint Nicholas in Majunga, the Hierarchical Vespers were celebrated this afternoon, presided over by His Grace Bishop Nephon of Majunga and North Madagascar, with His Eminence Metropolitan Ignatios of Antananarivo and Central Madagascar and His Grace Bishop Prodromos of Toliara and South Madagascar also presiding, and with the participation of many clergy, not only from our Diocese but also from other Holy Metropolises and Dioceses.

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With feelings of deep emotion and spiritual joy, we announce that His Grace Bishop Nephon, during yesterday’s Vespers, performed before God and men, according to the order of the Holy Orthodox Eastern Church, the tonsure into the small schema of the monk Alexandros (his name in the world), who was given the monastic name Iakovos.

With special compunction and splendour, the Third Salutations to the Most Holy Theotokos were celebrated today at the Holy Church of Saint Nicholas in the city of Majunga, North Madagascar. The service was presided over by His Grace Bishop Nephon, surrounded by priests of the area, and was attended by His Eminence Metropolitan Ignatios of Antananarivo and Central Madagascar. A multitude of faithful took part reverently in this compunctionate service of Holy and Great Lent. The faithful chanted with emotion the Salutations to the Most Holy Theotokos, asking for her motherly protection and strong support in the spiritual struggle of Holy and Great Lent.

After two weeks of intensive work, carried out by a large crew of 26 people, the renovation works on the Holy Church of Saint Nicholas in Majunga are nearing completion. Thanks to the coordinated effort and continuous work of the staff, under the watchful supervision of His Grace Bishop Nephon, the restoration of the Holy Church is now in its final stage.

In a climate of mutual respect and cooperation, the official meeting of His Grace Bishop Nephon of Majunga and North Madagascar with the Mayor of Mahajanga, Mr Heriniaina Tia Solofomanga, took place today, 10 March 2026. During the meeting, issues of common interest concerning the local community were discussed.

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Under the close supervision and untiring care of our Bishop, His Grace Nephon, the restoration works on the Holy Church of Saint Nicholas in Majunga, Madagascar, continue again today, with God’s help.

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As part of the ongoing works, the demolition of the old buildings around the Holy Church, which were judged no longer functional, has been completed. On the freed-up space, new modern buildings are planned that will fully meet the expanded needs and work of our Holy Diocese.

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The works of the first phase of the renovation of the Holy Church of Saint Nicholas in Majunga remain in full swing today, alongside the planned work to beautify the surrounding grounds, under the supervision of His Grace Bishop Nephon.

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SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT (Saint Gregory Palamas). With special spiritual compunction, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated today at the Holy Church of Saint Nicholas in Majunga, Madagascar. Today took on a special festive meaning, as we had the particular honour and joy of welcoming brothers and sisters from Chania, Crete, who travelled all the way to this remote corner of the African continent to worship with us. The presence of our dear compatriots deeply moved everyone, for meeting people from our homeland in places so far away is a source of spiritual strength and precious comfort for those who serve the missionary work of our Church. With these thoughts, and in the compunctionate spirit of Holy and Great Lent, we continue our spiritual journey, praying that the Lord may grant everyone unshakeable faith, strength and hope.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy today, the Second Sunday of Holy and Great Lent, the three-year memorial service of my late father Stavros took place. In an atmosphere of deep prayer and emotion, the kollyva were blessed and then distributed to the faithful of the parish. This service was a historic moment for the local Christian community, as this Orthodox tradition took place for the first time in this region. My father was a rare personality, distinguished by his high-mindedness, unshakeable faith and selfless giving. Throughout his life he was guided by love for his neighbour, carrying out important charitable work, always with humility and discretion. His quiet almsgiving and the nobility of his soul are a precious spiritual legacy, and his memory will remain indelible as a timeless example of Christian love and virtue. We pray that the Lord may give rest to the soul of our late father in the dwellings of the righteous, granting comfort and hope to the hearts of us all.

Service of the Second Salutations to the Theotokos, Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, Friday 06 March 2026, Majunga.

With the deepest emotion and a sacred sense of responsibility, we announce the start of the renovation works on the Holy Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Majunga, the spiritual centre and heart of our Diocese. This venerable church, built in 1953, is the second oldest church in the area after the earlier one on Alexander the Great Street, and it carries within it the memory, the labours and the tears of generations of faithful. Within its sacred walls Divine Liturgies have been celebrated, children baptised, families united, prayers offered and funeral services chanted. This church has stood as an ark of faith and hope, a spiritual harbour in the storms of life, under the protection of Saint Nicholas, protector of seafarers and of all who are in danger. Today the Diocese undertakes the sacred work of renovation, not only as a technical necessity but as a spiritual rebirth. The old buildings surrounding the church, having completed their cycle of service, will be demolished so that new facilities can be built, worthy of housing the growing pastoral, administrative and charitable needs of the Metropolis. In this way the site will become a centre of living witness and missionary offering. At the same time, the Holy Church will be renovated inside and out; its decorum will be renewed and its sacred splendour restored, so that the house of God may reflect the glory and order of the Church. For material renewal must go hand in hand with the spiritual renewal of hearts: “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5); this word becomes reality in our ecclesial life too. The renovation of the Metropolitan Cathedral is not merely an architectural project but an ecclesiological act and a confession of faith. It expresses the continuity of tradition, gratitude to our forebears and our responsibility towards future generations. As the church is renewed, so we too are called to renew the inner man, so that we may become “the temple of the living God”. In particular, we thank very much Metropolitan Ignatios of Central Madagascar for his great contribution and his wholehearted support of this renovation. His presence and care strengthen the spirit of cooperation and devotion, confirming love and zeal for our Church. May Saint Nicholas be the intercessor and protector of this sacred work, so that the renovated Metropolitan Cathedral may become a beacon of faith, unity and love, glorifying the All-holy Name of the Triune God and strengthening the missionary witness of the Diocese unto the ages.

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A Journey of Love: the first pastoral visit to the Parish of Saint Constantine. The day began with the first ray of sunlight, at 6 in the morning, from the residence of our Diocese in Majunga. Our destination was a village only 65 kilometres away, but at the heart of mission, distances are not measured in kilometres but by the longing for the encounter. For the new Bishop, this journey was not simply a trip, but the official beginning of a path of service close to people. The road, rough and rugged, tested our endurance. Yet every jolt of the car on the hard ground was a reminder of the difficulties our faithful face every day. Tiredness gave way to the desire to see at first hand the living conditions of our flock and to listen to its needs. When we reached the parish, tiredness gave way to emotion. We were welcomed by the children of the Primary School – a living fruit of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and of the labours of the late Fr Nektarios. Their bright faces, their songs and their enthusiasm were the best reward. We handed out sweets and took photos, but above all we shared time and affection, building bridges of hope. The visit was not limited to greetings. We prayed in the Holy Church, visited the classrooms and talked with the teachers, committing ourselves to improving the school facilities. The action extended to the neighbouring village, where we examined the possibility of building a small church to meet the spiritual needs of its faithful, as well as restoring a well to provide clean drinking water. We returned to our see with Fathers Ioannis and Methodios, physically tired but spiritually fulfilled. The mission was confirmed once again as a “sacrifice of love”. The struggle to improve life and to strengthen our Diocese spiritually has only just begun, with the conviction that Christ will bless the fruits of this demanding but blessed road.

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Today, the Sunday of Orthodoxy, we celebrate with special joy the restoration and veneration of the Holy Icons, which are a living proclamation of our faith and witnesses of God’s presence in the world. This day reminds us of the victory of Orthodoxy over the heresies and of the preservation of the truth of the faith through the centuries. With due ecclesiastical order and compunction, we celebrated the Divine Liturgy today at the historic Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Majunga, the see of our Diocese. This church, a symbol of the presence of Orthodoxy and of the Greek heritage in the region, has great spiritual and historical value for all of us. The participation of the faithful, their prayer and their love for Christ and the Church created an atmosphere of spiritual joy and unity. The procession of the Holy Icons was the high point of the feast, reminding us all of the power of faith and the importance of the liturgical life of our Church. The needs for the upgrading and protection of the church are many and great, but little by little, with the love and participation of all of us, I believe they will become reality. It is important to preserve the church not only as a place of worship but also as a living historical monument that reminds the faithful of the Greek presence and the spiritual heritage of the region. At the same time, today gives us the opportunity to mention the new mission being carried out in North Madagascar. This effort strengthens the missionary work of our Church, brings spiritual light and hope to many people and continues the work of our Metropolis in the wider region. The Sunday of Orthodoxy inspires us to continue honouring the icons, to work for the upgrading of the historic Greek Metropolitan Cathedral of Majunga and to support with love and devotion every spiritual effort of our Diocese, so that the presence of the Church in Madagascar may become ever stronger and more fruitful. †Nephon of Majunga and North Madagascar.

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Sunday of Orthodoxy. Matins – Hierarchical Divine Liturgy – Procession of the Holy Icons

Service of the First Salutations to the Theotokos, Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, Friday 27 February 2026, Majunga.

With special ecclesiastical splendour and deep emotion, the first welcome of His Grace Bishop Nephon took place in Mahajanga (Majunga), Madagascar, at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Nicholas. The ceremony took place in the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Ignatios of Antananarivo and Central Madagascar, surrounded by the holy clergy and a multitude of faithful who gathered to honour the new Bishop. The large participation of the people was a living testimony to the unity and love that characterise the local Church. We wholeheartedly wish His Grace Nephon that his pastoral ministry be pleasing to God and blessed, and that the Lord grant him health, unshakeable strength and divine enlightenment in shepherding the faithful people of God. Axios!

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Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos, Antananarivo, Madagascar.

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In an atmosphere of deep religious devotion and spiritual joy, the Holy Metropolis of Antananarivo and Central Madagascar welcomed, on Thursday 19 February 2026, His Grace Bishop Nephon of Majunga and North Madagascar. The warm welcome took place at the Holy Church of the Entry of the Theotokos in Andoharanofotsy, Antananarivo, where His Eminence Metropolitan Ignatios of Antananarivo and Central Madagascar, surrounded by the holy clergy and a multitude of faithful, welcomed the new Bishop of Majunga and North Madagascar, Nephon. This moving meeting of the two hierarchs is not only an important event for the Orthodox Church of Madagascar; it also seals the strong bonds of unity and the shared dedication to the missionary work carried out with a spirit of sacrifice in Madagascar. For many years His Eminence Ignatios has accomplished a titanic work, having founded dozens of churches, schools, hospitals and even a university, offering every day food, medical care and clean water to thousands of our suffering brothers and sisters. I would like to express my warm thanks to His Eminence Metropolitan Ignatios for his practical love and his exceptional hospitality. Especially moving is his kind and generous gift of a car, as well as other necessary items for the needs of our newly founded Diocese, a gesture that is a valuable help to our ministry. I would also like to express my warmest and most heartfelt thanks to His Grace Bishop Prodromos of Toliara and South Madagascar. From the day of my election until today, his love, his valuable guidance and his selfless offering have been an invaluable support to me. The zeal and the great missionary work he carries out in his Diocese are a source of inspiration for us all.

Your Beatitude, Father and Master, with filial love and the deepest respect I come before you on your venerable name day, to express from my heart my warm wishes and my boundless gratitude to your person. Today is a joyful occasion for the entire flock of our Patriarchate, for we honour the venerable name of our Primate, our Father and Shepherd, His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria, who tirelessly and with apostolic zeal serves the Apostolic Throne of Saint Mark on the blessed continent of Africa. Your Beatitude, in your person I recognise the loving Father, the tireless missionary, the humble labourer of the Gospel. Your missionary work, your unceasing pastoral visits and your fatherly care for every cleric and every believer are for all of us an example of sacrificial love and authentic pastoral ministry. Personally, I feel the need to thank you warmly for the trust, the fatherly guidance and the unfailing support you give me. Your love has been my strength in difficulties, a light in decisions and a support in every ministry you have entrusted to me. My gratitude is not limited to words, but is expressed as deep devotion and willing obedience to your venerable person and to the Apostolic Church of Alexandria. I pray that the all-good God, through the intercessions of the holy and glorious Great Martyr Theodore, may grant you robust health, long life and strength of soul and body, so that you may continue for many years to shepherd with wisdom and discernment the flock entrusted to you. Many happy returns, Your Beatitude! Many and blessed years! With filial love, respect and devotion. †Nephon of Majunga and North Madagascar