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Interview of His Grace Bishop Nephon of Majunga and North Madagascar on the SKAI television channel.

From the private office of
His Grace Bishop Nephon,

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Meal of Love – A day full of love, emotion and hope

Today at noon, at 12:00, the Meal of Love offered by our Holy Diocese to the Orphanage and the Old People’s Home took place. It was a special day, full of emotion, smiles and above all the presence of Christ’s love.

The presence of the Municipal Authority was especially significant, as with today’s initiative another important step was taken in the cooperation between the Municipality and our Diocese. A cooperation that we want to put into practice and that will truly serve people in need.

Among the people we met were three grandmothers. Three lives, three different stories, yet united by the same need: to feel that someone loves them and stands by them. One of them is in a wheelchair, having lost a leg. In their faces you see a whole life full of struggles, joys, sorrows, deprivation and hope. Their eyes do not need many words; they speak for themselves.

And then came the little children of the Orphanage. The joy with which they sat at the table and ate the food we offered them, as a gift Christ sent us, was for us the greatest reward. You could see on their faces a smile, joy and deep gratitude. And there we understood once again that the greatest blessing is to be able to give to a person in need.

We also agreed to create a choir, so that through music, song and tradition the children can express themselves, create and grow up with joy and hope.

At the same time, we are optimistically awaiting the decision of the Municipal Council on 25 August, hoping it will be positive. Immediately afterwards, with everyone’s cooperation, we will be able to begin the redevelopment and the necessary work on the building, so that it can truly serve the purpose for which it was created.

This building was built in 2011 by the Philanthropic Brotherhood of Men of Thessaloniki, with the aim of helping children in need. Today we all have a duty together to revive it and give it life again, so that it serves the purpose for which it was built.

The Meal of Love ended in the best and most symbolic way. We all went outside, sat under the Greek flag and the flag of Madagascar and together sang the National Anthem of Greece and the National Anthem of Madagascar.

It was a moment that reminded us that two peoples, two homelands and two cultures can meet through love, the Church and giving to others.

I thank from my heart the Municipal Authority, everyone who took part and everyone who stood by us today. I also especially thank all those who will help the Orphanage from now on.

Because what we started today is not simply a meal.

It is the beginning of a cooperation. It is the beginning of an effort. It is the beginning of a new life for these children and these people.

And above all, it is an act of love.

For where there is love, there Christ is.

ANNOUNCEMENT

With the blessing of our Christ and the blessing of the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodoros II, the Holy Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar is entering into an important new cooperation for the Orthodox Orphanage of Majunga.

This cooperation has already begun in practice, with the aim of supporting the children, improving their living conditions and upgrading the work of the institution.

The Orphanage is an important part of the history of the Orthodox Mission in Madagascar. The building was built at the expense of the Philanthropic Brotherhood of Men of Thessaloniki, under the presidency of Theodoros I. Dardavesis, as shown by the commemorative plaque in the institution, which bears the date 21 January 2011.

Our cooperation with the Municipality and the local authorities has already begun, with a view to officially entrusting the management of the Orphanage to the Holy Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar.

The Mayor has welcomed the proposal in a very positive spirit and has expressed his willingness to support this cooperation. For the final and official handover of the management, however, we await the decision of the Municipal Council.

Even though the formal procedure has not yet been completed, our cooperation has already begun in practice, through specific initiatives and actions to support the institution and the children.

Today is especially moving and symbolic, as the Greek flag is being raised in the courtyard of the Orphanage.

The blue and white flag is raised in Majunga as a symbol of Greece and of Orthodoxy, but also as a symbol of love, solidarity and practical giving towards the people and the children of Madagascar.

As part of this cooperation, on Wednesday a meal will be offered at the institution.

The meal will be attended by the Mayor, the local authorities, the people and co-workers who support this effort, and the children of the Orphanage.

It will be a beautiful day of meeting, communication and love, centred on the children and their future.

This building, which for many years housed and protected the children, now needs substantial renovation and upgrading. Time has left its marks both inside and outside the building.

For this reason, as part of the new cooperation, our main aim is to proceed with the redevelopment and renovation of the building, both inside and out, creating the conditions necessary for its safe, dignified and smooth operation.

We want the Orphanage to regain the place it deserves and to become a modern, safe and suitable place for the children it houses.

With the blessing of our Christ and the blessing of the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodoros II, we move forward with faith, love and determination, so that this historic institution may gain new life and continue to be a place of love, protection, hope and giving for the children of Madagascar.

With the blessing of our Christ, today we celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Majunga.

A multitude of faithful took part with compunction in the Divine Liturgy, prayed and approached Holy Communion with faith and reverence, receiving the Body and Blood of our Christ.

After the Divine Liturgy, by the grace of God and with the blessing of His Divine Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, baptisms of new Christians took place, who entered the Holy Orthodox Church and became members of the Body of Christ.

This beautiful day ended with the traditional meal, in an atmosphere of joy, love and brotherhood, with all of us faithful sharing the joy of our common faith.

Glory to God for all things!

† Nephon of Majunga and North Madagascar

Our Panagia, the “Pascha of the summer” and a special day for our Diocese

Today, a day of great joy and blessing for all of Orthodoxy, our Church honours with special reverence the glorious Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, our Panagia, the Mother and Protector of us all.

From faraway Madagascar, from the Missionary Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar, today we send our love and heartfelt wishes to the whole world, to our Greece and to all our Orthodox brothers and sisters, wherever they may be.

Today is especially important for our Diocese too, as God made us worthy to experience an event of historic significance: the ordination of Alexandros Karachalios from Athens, the first Greek who came to our Diocese and joined the work of our Mission.

Alexandros is my spiritual child and today, with the blessing of our Christ and with the blessing of His Divine Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, he was ordained a Deacon in our Missionary Diocese, to offer his strength and help the great and difficult work being done in Madagascar.

For us this is a special blessing and a great joy. It is a sign that our Missionary Diocese can become a place where people from Greece and from every corner of the world can come, get to know the Mission and offer to the Church.

The work before us is great and difficult. It requires sacrifice, toil, faith and people who will truly love this effort. That is why we rejoice especially when we see new people coming close to us and becoming partners in this work.

Today’s ordination, then, is not only a personal blessing for our new Deacon, but also a blessing for our whole Missionary Diocese.

With God’s help, with the blessing of our Christ and under the protection of our Panagia, we continue all together. With the priests, the deacons, the catechists, the co-workers and all the people who support the Mission, we move forward with faith and hope.

Today, then, from Madagascar, we send a great message of love to all of Greece and to all of Orthodoxy.

Happy feast to our Greece, which today celebrates the “Pascha of the summer”!

Happy feast to all Greeks, wherever they may be.

Happy feast to all our Orthodox brothers and sisters in every corner of the earth.

May our Panagia shelter Greece, Madagascar, our Missionary Diocese and every family.

And especially today, may our Panagia bless and strengthen our new Deacon Alexandros Karachalios, so that with strength, humility and love he may serve the Church and contribute to the great missionary work of our Diocese.

Many happy and blessed returns!
Happy feast of the Dormition to the whole world!
With much love and good wishes to all.

† Nephon of Majunga and North Madagascar

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Happy Feast from our Diocese.

Today, 15 August, our Holy Church celebrates with splendour the glorious Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.

May our Panagia, the Mother of our Lord and Mother of us all, shelter with her love and protection every person, every family and our whole missionary effort in Madagascar.

From the Holy Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Majunga, we wish everyone a happy, blessed and peaceful feast.

May our Panagia always be our helper, shelter and comfort, and guide our steps close to Christ.

With the blessing of our Christ and our Panagia,
the Missionary Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar.

Many happy and blessed returns! 🙏

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ORDINATION TO THE DIACONATE

The Holy Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar, with special joy and praise to the all-good God and with the blessing of His Divine Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, announces the ordination to the diaconate of Alexandros Karachalios, on 15 August, at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Majunga.

Mr Alexandros Karachalios was born on 5 June 1975 (aged 51) and lives in Agios Dimitrios, Athens. He is married and the father of one child.

He has a solid academic background specialising in management and shipping, certified by degrees from recognised institutions in Greece and abroad.

• Undergraduate Studies: In 2000 he was awarded the Bachelor of Science (BSc) by London Guildhall University in the United Kingdom, after successfully completing the approved programme of study in Transport and Shipping.

• Postgraduate Studies: In 2001 he continued his academic path at postgraduate level, receiving a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from Cardiff University in Wales.

• Postgraduate Training: In 2019 he attended the “Project Management” programme at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), receiving the relevant certification.

• Foreign Languages: He also has an excellent, academic-level knowledge and command of Greek and English.

The Holy Diocese prays that the new Deacon may be granted the rich grace of the Holy Spirit and serve with faith, humility, self-denial and love our Holy Church and the missionary work of Orthodoxy in North Madagascar.

“Axios!”

From the Holy Diocese
of Majunga and North Madagascar

With the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ and the venerable prayers of His Divine Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, another decisive step for strengthening the educational ministry in the Parish of Saints Constantine and Helen in Ambovondramanesy

This morning, at the see of the Holy Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar, in the offices of the Diocesan Administration at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Majunga, the necessary documents were signed for the founding of a new Secondary School in the parish of Saints Constantine and Helen in Ambovondramanesy.

These documents will first be submitted to the competent Region and then to the Ministry of Education, with the aim of completing the required procedures immediately and obtaining official state approval before the start of the new school year.

The meeting was attended by the Head of the Primary School, who has taken on the handling of the administrative documents and the submission of the educational programme for the Primary School and the newly founded Secondary School, in close cooperation with the Holy Diocese and the teaching staff.

At the same time, the new school buildings are expected to be completed by the start of the school year. These modern facilities will house both the Primary School and the new Secondary School, ensuring a suitable, safe and dignified learning environment for the pupils of our parish in Ambovondramanesy.

Once the works are completed, the necessary inspection will be carried out by the competent committee of the Ministry of Education. The committee will inspect the premises to certify that their construction and layout meet the required technical specifications and the conditions of the approved design.

This initiative is another important milestone in the social and educational work of our Diocese. The operation of the Secondary School will allow the children of the area to continue their education in their own place, avoiding the need to move away for their studies.

With the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ and the venerable prayers of His Divine Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, we pray that all the bureaucratic and construction procedures may be completed quickly and smoothly.

We hope that by the start of the new school year everything will be fully ready: the buildings, the administrative documents, the curriculum, the teaching staff and the official operating licence of the Secondary School.

May, with God’s help, the first bell of the new Secondary School ring in a few days in our parish in Ambovondramanesy, marking the beginning of a new path of knowledge, hope and progress for the young people of the area.

At the same time, we express our warm and sincere thanks to the Association “Saint Kosmas the Aetolian” in Thessaloniki, which is a precious supporter and helper of our missionary work as a whole, taking on the entire cost of rebuilding this school.

The Holy Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar continues to invest consistently and devotedly in the future of children, recognising in practice that education is the foundation for building a prosperous society.

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

By the grace of God and the blessing of His Divine Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, the reconstruction works on the school in the parish of Saints Constantine and Helen in Ambovondramanesy are progressing very quickly. We are certain that by the day the schools open, the school complex will be ready to welcome the Primary pupils and, for the first time, the Secondary School pupils too.

Once again we express our warm and sincere thanks to the Association “Saint Kosmas the Aetolian” of Thessaloniki, which stands as a precious helper in our missionary work, taking on the entire cost of rebuilding this school.

Every financial offering to our Missionary Diocese is of inestimable value, because it is transformed into a work of love and life. Thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, schools are built and renovated, wells are dug to provide clean drinking water, daily meals are offered to those in need, medicines are bought for the sick, churches are completed and the pastoral and charitable activities of our Missionary Diocese are supported.

In this way the daily life of thousands of people is substantially improved, especially of children and families living in difficult conditions, giving them hope, dignity and a better future. We pray that the all-good God may grant His rich blessing and repay a hundredfold the love of all who support the missionary work of our Missionary Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar.

With the blessing of God and the blessing of His Divine Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, we present some photos from the second centre of our Missionary Diocese in Diego.

Glory to God, the works are progressing at a steady pace and, God willing, will be completed by the end of August or the beginning of September.

This second centre will be an important missionary hub, from which the presence of the Orthodox Church throughout North Madagascar will be strengthened, so that our missionary work may expand and even more people may be led to the truth of Holy Orthodoxy.

We express our warm and heartfelt thanks to the great benefactor of our Missionary Diocese, Mr Taloumis, who has taken on the entire construction of our Missionary Centre in Diego. His precious offering and practical love are a great blessing for the progress of the missionary work of our Church.

Glory to God for all His benefactions.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ORDINATION TO THE DIACONATE

The Holy Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar, with special joy and gratitude to the Triune God, announces the ordination to the diaconate of the Monk Iakovos (Rabemanantsoa CERIS).

Personal details
* Church name: Iakovos
* Secular name: Rabemanantsoa Ceris
* Place of residence: Analampenja, Mananara, Madagascar
* Date of birth: 8 December 1975
* Age: 50
* Marital status: Unmarried

Studies

The Monk Iakovos completed his primary and secondary education, obtaining the CEPE (1992), BEPC (1996) and the School Leaving Certificate (Baccalauréat – Série A2, 2001).

He then studied at the Catholic Institute of Madagascar (Institut Catholique de Madagascar – ICM), where he obtained the University Diploma of Philosophical Studies (DUEP, 2004) and the Degree in Philosophy (Licence en Philosophie, 2004).

He then completed his church studies at the Paul VI Major Seminary in Diégo-Suarez, obtaining the Baccalauréat Catholique (2009).

The Monk Iakovos has an excellent knowledge of Malagasy and of French. He also knows English.

He has long and notable experience in education and school administration, having served as a Teacher at the Primary School (EPP) Volosarika, Deputy Head at the Collège Sainte Jeanne d’Arc, Deputy Head at the Lycée (LP) Le Topiah, Teacher at the Private School (EP) Le Concordia, and Head (Proviseur) at the Lycée L’EXCELLENCE.

The Holy Diocese prays that the new Deacon may be granted the rich grace of the Holy Spirit, serve the Holy Altar with humility, obedience and love, and contribute with zeal to the spread of the Gospel and the progress of the missionary work of the Orthodox Church in North Madagascar.

Axios!

From the Holy Diocese
of Majunga and North Madagascar

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ANNOUNCEMENT OF ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD

The Holy Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar, with special joy and praise to the all-good God, announces the ordination to the priesthood of Deacon Paisios.

Details of the candidate
* Church name: Paisios
* Secular name: Tafitasoa Sylvain Razafindraibe
* Place of residence: Ampitatafika, Madagascar
* Date of birth: 1 May 1999
* Age: 27
* Marital status: Married.

Studies

Deacon Paisios completed his primary and secondary education, obtaining the BEPC (2014) and the School Leaving Certificate (Baccalauréat) in 2018. In 2022–2025 he studied at the Orthodox Seminary of Saint John the Theologian in Alasora, where he successfully completed his theological studies.

Deacon Paisios speaks the following languages: Malagasy, French and Greek.

The Holy Diocese prays that the new Priest may be granted the rich grace of the Holy Spirit and serve with faith, humility, self-denial and love our Holy Church and the missionary work of Orthodoxy in North Madagascar.

“Axios!”

From the Holy Diocese
of Majunga and North Madagascar

Message for the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

With special emotion and spiritual joy, today we celebrated the great Feast of the Lord, the Transfiguration of our Lord, in the Missionary Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar.

By the grace of the All-holy Spirit, we felt that we too had ascended in spirit to the Holy Mount Tabor, where our Lord Jesus Christ, before His three disciples Peter, James and John, revealed the uncreated light of His divinity. The disciples saw Him, as our Church says, “as far as they were able”, that is, as much as they could bear the divine light.

The Transfiguration is not only a historical event, but an invitation to all of us to transform our lives. To transform our passions into virtues, our weakness into strength, the darkness of our soul into the light of Christ. To let the grace of God illumine our hearts, so that we too may become people of love, humility and holiness.

I wish everyone many happy and blessed years. May the uncreated light of the Transfiguration illumine our steps, strengthen our faith and make us worthy to become partakers of the glory of God, living a true spiritual transfiguration every day.

Many happy returns! Strength to you all, and may the Lord’s blessing be rich upon you.

Before returning from the Sunday Divine Liturgy and the baptisms, as part of our pastoral and apostolic visit, we visited the village of Manongoa, where we had the opportunity to see at first hand the Orthodox Holy Church of Saint Alexander, as well as the house built as the priest’s residence.

We saw with sadness that both the church and the house have suffered significant deterioration over time and need immediate restoration, so that they can continue to serve the spiritual and pastoral needs of the faithful of the area.

For this reason, together with the renovation of the Holy Church of Saint Demetrios in Masokoamena, we are now including in the planning of our Missionary Diocese the repair of the Holy Church of Saint Alexander and of the priest’s house. We pray that our Lord Jesus Christ may bless this effort, so that, if His holy will allows and the necessary financial means are found, these very important works may soon be completed to the glory of God and the strengthening of the Orthodox Mission in North Madagascar.

In addition, following our visit and the recording of the residents’ needs, we decided to include in our planning the digging of two wells, one in each village (Masokoamena and Manongoa), as the lack of drinking water is one of the most serious problems facing the local communities.

Access to clean water is a matter of life, health and dignity, and we hope, by the grace of God and with the support of people of good will, to be able to carry out this important work of love and giving for our brothers and sisters too.

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With special blessing, compunction and simplicity, today we celebrated the Festal Vespers of the great Feast of the Lord, the Transfiguration of our Lord, at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas of the Missionary Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar.

The joy and spiritual blessing we received were invaluable, as the all-good God made us worthy to be all together, united by a bond of love and faith, to glorify Him and to prepare for the great feast of His Divine Transfiguration.

May the uncreated light of Tabor illumine all our hearts, strengthen our faith and grant peace, hope and strength to every person.

Many happy and blessed returns!

With the blessing of His Divine Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, today we were in the village of Masokoamena, in the parish of Saint Demetrios, where we celebrated the Divine Liturgy after an adventurous journey into the interior of our Missionary Diocese.

After the Divine Liturgy we had the opportunity to meet the Christians of the area, to listen to their problems and concerns and to discuss ways in which our local Church can stand by them in practice and provide solutions to their needs.

Our first priority is the renovation and redevelopment of the Holy Church of Saint Demetrios, as well as the landscaping of its grounds, so that the church is fully functional and serves the faithful of the area in the best possible way.

Then we went to the village river, where we performed the Holy Sacrament of Baptism in a truly wonderful natural setting, full of beauty and the grace of God. It was a particularly moving moment, as new members joined the Orthodox Church.

I would like to express my warm thanks to the parish priest, Fr Evmenios, for his love, devotion and hospitality. I also thank Fr Stavros, as well as my co-worker Mr Giannis Vatsolakis from Chania, who has been by my side from the first moment, takes part with self-denial in this difficult but blessed missionary work and shares with me every difficulty and every joy of our mission. Together we continue to work for the spread of the Gospel and the strengthening of the Orthodox communities of North Madagascar.

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My dear brothers and sisters,

Today, while I was at the Bishop’s House of our Missionary Diocese here in faraway Madagascar, working for the needs of our Church, I listened to the Pontic song that I posted. My emotion was so great that I felt the need to share with you a few thoughts that came from my heart.

Although I come from Crete, Pontic Hellenism has always had a special place in my soul and in my heart. Since my youth I have admired the dances, the songs, the gallantry, the language, the traditions and the rich culture of Pontus. That is why I have many dear Pontic friends, whom I especially esteem and love.

Above all, though, I admire the deep faith of the Pontic Greeks in our Christ and their devotion to the Orthodox Church. I am moved every time I see their special reverence for Panagia Soumela, who is for all Pontic Greeks a point of reference, hope and spiritual strength. Despite the sacrifices, persecutions and trials they went through, they never abandoned their faith or their Greek identity, but handed them on alive to the next generations.

From here, faraway Madagascar, I send you my love and my most heartfelt wishes. May you always be well, united and proud of your history, your faith, your culture, your dances, your songs and your roots. Continue to pass on to your children and grandchildren the love for our Christ, for Panagia Soumela and for our homeland, Greece.

I pray that the all-good God, through the intercessions of the Most Holy Theotokos and of Panagia Soumela, may grant you health, peace, strength and every blessing.

With brotherly love and many good wishes from Madagascar.

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With great joy, love and fatherly affection, our Bishop, His Grace Nephon, is by the side of the children of our Diocese, in every village and town.

He becomes one with them: he plays, listens to them, embraces them and plants in their pure hearts the seed of our Orthodox faith and love for Christ. Every child’s gaze hides a special blessing and every warm embrace brings people closer.

Within the embrace of the Mission, the message of hope and salvation reaches everywhere, reminding us that our future and our true hope are always in our Christ!

By the grace and blessing of God and with the blessing of His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, the works on the buildings that will house the second centre of our Holy Diocese in Diego are progressing very quickly, so that everything will be ready at the end of August or the beginning of September.

Then, with God’s help, we will be able to go there to perform the inauguration and continue our missionary and pastoral ministry, establishing even more firmly the presence of Orthodoxy in the northern part of our Holy Diocese.

Once again, I express my warm thanks to our great donor, Mr Taloumis, for his great love, his generous offering and his valuable support of our missionary work.

† Nephon of Majunga and North Madagascar.

By the grace and blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the fatherly love and blessing of the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodoros II, the architectural study for the new Bishop’s House of the Missionary Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar has been completed.

With feelings of deep gratitude we express our warm and heartfelt thanks to the Architect Engineer Mr Stergios G. Voliotis of Thessaloniki, who, with love for the Orthodox Mission and a spirit of selfless giving, prepared the entire architectural study of the project free of charge, offering a precious gift to our local Church.

The new Bishop’s House was designed with functionality, simplicity and service to the needs of the Missionary Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar in mind.

On the ground floor there will be two guest rooms for receiving clergy, co-workers and visitors of the Mission, as well as an Office, a Dining Room and a Medical Room, to cover the daily administrative, pastoral and social needs of the Diocese.

On the first floor are the Bishop’s living and administrative areas. Specifically, there will be the Bishop’s private room, two more Guest Rooms, the Bishop’s Office, the Diocesan Secretariat Office and a Meeting Room, where meetings, clergy gatherings, pastoral assemblies and the administrative work of the Missionary Diocese will take place.

The first big step has been taken with the completion of the architectural study. Now we need the second, equally important step: finding the necessary financial resources to carry out this great project. By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the intercessions of the Most Holy Theotokos, who until now guides and protects every effort of our Missionary Diocese, we hope and pray that we may soon be found worthy to see this vision too become reality.

We pray that the all-good God may grant Mr Stergios G. Voliotis and his family health, strength and every good thing, and richly reward his precious and selfless offering to the Church and to the Orthodox Mission.

With faith in God and hope we continue our work, so that the new Bishop’s House may become a beacon of faith, love and service, contributing substantially to the establishment and further growth of the Orthodox Church in North Madagascar.

With God’s help, and with the blessing of the Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodoros II, today we were found worthy to reach the last day of our missionary visit. Having completed the twelve-day cycle of our pastoral visits throughout the Diocese, we came to the parish of Saints Constantine and Helen in Ambovondramanesy to oversee the progress of the works on the school complex there. Our only aim and prayer is for everything to be ready for the start of the new school year.

With special joy we saw that the works are proceeding smoothly according to the timetable we have set, so that the school can become a modern spiritual and educational refuge for the children of the Primary and Secondary School.

We express our heartfelt thanks to all of you who, with your love, prayer and support, become fellow Cyreneans in our work. We owe special gratitude to the Missionary Association “Saint Kosmas the Aetolian”, which through its generous offering contributes decisively to the realisation of this God-pleasing work, and to the devout people of Thessaloniki who embraced this effort in every way.

This missionary work does not belong to one person. It is the fruit of love in Christ, the work of the Church and of all who believe that every child deserves access to the good of education.

May the Lord, the Giver of gifts, bless you and your families, repaying a hundredfold your love and your offering.

† Nephon of Majunga and North Madagascar

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With special emotion, the Sunday Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Parish of Saint Nektarios in Port-Bergé, in the presence of a multitude of faithful and the local authorities. It was a historic and blessed day for the Orthodox Church in the area, as the participation of the people was moving and the welcome especially warm.

The Divine Liturgy was attended by the Regional Governor, the Mayor, the Director of the Police and of the Gendarmerie, and a representative of the Army, who welcomed His Grace Bishop Nephon with special joy and expressed their appreciation for the presence of the Orthodox Church in their area.

In his address, His Grace stressed that he will soon return to the area to meet again with the residents and local authorities. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the needs of the place and to decide together specific ways in which the Orthodox Church can contribute substantially to the progress and relief of the people of the area, through works of love, social action and charity.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy a meal of love was offered to all those present by the Bishop, expressing his fatherly love and gratitude to all who honoured this church gathering with their presence.

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The ceremony of raising the Greek Flag in the courtyard of the Parish of Saint Nektarios in Port-Bergé today was deeply moving.

The flag of our homeland flew as a symbol of the centuries-old Orthodox tradition and of the spiritual presence of Hellenism, reminding us that Greece has always stood as a helper and supporter of every person in need, giving practical support to missionary efforts and to the people of the area.

The raising of the Greek Flag is carried out by His Grace Bishop Nephon of Majunga and North Madagascar in every parish he visits without exception, as an expression of fatherly affection. The same simple ceremony will be repeated at the remaining stops of his visit, until its end.

10th Day of the Pastoral Visit – Parish of Saint Nektarios, Ambondromamy (Boriziny, Port-Bergé)

With special emotion and praise to the all-good God, we continued our pastoral visit today, arriving at the Parish of Saint Nektarios in Ambondromamy, on the 10th day of our missionary ministry in the great Missionary Diocese of Majunga and North Madagascar.

In an atmosphere of spiritual joy we performed the Holy Sacrament of Baptism, making new souls worthy to put on Christ and become members of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Immediately afterwards we performed the Holy Sacrament of Marriage, blessing a new family that is founding its life on the love and blessing of God.

Our joy is truly great, because every day we see the missionary work bearing fruit. New Christians, newly illumined and new families are coming close to Christ and becoming living members of His Church. This is the greatest blessing and the most beautiful reward for the labours of mission.

We express our warm thanks to the parish priest, Fr Ilarion, for his brotherly hospitality, excellent preparation and tireless ministry. We also thank his presbytera, all the co-workers and the devout faithful of the Parish who took part with faith and love in today’s sacred services.

We pray that our Lord Jesus Christ may grant us health, strength and wisdom, so that we may successfully complete our pastoral visit throughout our Diocese and move on to carrying out the projects we have planned, both for the Holy Church of Saint Nektarios and for the landscaping and upgrading of its grounds, to the glory of God and the spiritual benefit of His people.

Glory to God for all things!

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