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