Third day of the missionary journey of the Alexandrian Primate His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
His Beatitude the Patriarch paid a visit today to the Theological Faculty of the Orthodox University of Kinshasa, accompanied by Their Eminences the Hierarchs Meletios of Katanga, Daniel of Aksum, Theodosius of Kinshasa and His Grace Cosmas Bishop of Konstantiani, in the presence of the Honourable Chairman of the Hellenic Community Mr. Gerasimos Dounis and members of the Parish.
Upon arrival at the entrance of the University, the bell of the Holy Church of St Athanasius the Athonite rang out joyously! The Lecturers' Association, theological students as well as a large number of Orthodox Congolese believers welcomed their Spiritual Father with great joy and respect. With flowers, exclamations, songs and traditional dances, the Orthodox of the area offered their love.
Afterwards, inside the Holy Church of St Athanasius the Athonite, an official doxology was sung in honour of the Patriarch.
At the end of the Doxology, His Beatitude performed the official Service of Enthronement as first Abbot of the Holy Monastery, the Very Reverend Archimandrite Chrysostomos Kamuanga, placing him as the Head of the five-member monastic Brotherhood.
In his moving address, the Patriarch referred to the life and history of the monks and ascetics in Egypt, such as those of the Thebaid, Nitria and Mareotis, who "cultivated the barren desert with the flow of their tears", praying that the Brotherhood of the Monastery would multiply and increase in Christ.
On his own behalf Abbot Chrysostomos expressed his gratitude to the Patriarch for his benefits to the Brotherhood, assuring him that they will always be faithful, devoted and obedient children of the Church of Alexandria, which was the first to bring and teach the truth of the Gospel and the Orthodox faith to the Congolese. "Any other obedience in Africa is essentially non-obedience, irregularity and disobedience to the orders of the Holy and God-fearing Fathers and to the Tradition of the Orthodox Church," he stressed.
Afterwards, the students of the Theological Faculty successfully presented a theatrical performance in the Greek language, dedicated to the life and teaching of St Basil the Great, something that moved everyone.
These beautiful spiritual encounters and events delighted and strengthened the Orthodox faith of the Congolese youth. His Beatitude renewed his appointment with the students of the Kinshasa Orthodox University for his next visit, at the new premises to be relocated in the capital, in new buildings, hostels and classrooms, which are already being prepared.
