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.