Inter-Orthodox Concelebration at the Diocese of Arusha of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa

As part of the Conference of the World Council of Churches, taking place in Arusha of Tanzania, from 8 to 13 March, on the subject of:

Moving in the Spirit: Called to Transforming Discipleship, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)

On Sunday 11th March in the Holy Community and Cathedral Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in the Diocese of Arusha, a multi-hierarchal Inter-Orthodox Divine Liturgy was celebrated.

The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Elpidoforos Metropolitan of Proussa, head of the representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, His Eminence Makarios Elder Metropolitan of Nairobi, His Eminence Seraphim Metropolitan of Zimbabwe and Angola, Their Grace the Bishops Joseph of Patara (Argentina), Agathonikos of Arusha and Central Tanzania, who is also the local Bishop in the area. Many Clergy from Local Orthodox Churches participated and the Divine Liturgy was attended by a number of delegates.

At the end of Orthros, the Service of the Veneration of the Cross took place in total order, and the students of the Theological Seminary in Nairobi sang the hymns. Before the Dismissal of the Divine Liturgy and in front of the packed Holy Church, His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Makarios of Nairobi read the Greeting of His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa. Among other things in his address, the Alexandrian Primate mentioned the importance of the convening of the above Conference in Arusha which is the undeniable capital of East Africa, but on the African Continent generally, which as it belongs to the spiritual jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Alexandria is a continual challenge to the ministry to our African brothers and sisters who are made in God’s image, and the solution to the economic, political and social problems which are continually increasing, with particular emphasis on the care of refugees and our brothers and sisters who are in need.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, gifts were given to the hosting local Bishop Agathonikos (by His Eminence Elpidoforos, the representative of Patriarchate Daniel of Romania the Very Reverend Michai Himcinschi and Reverend Gregory Pelusi representing His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, who for many years served in the area as Patriarchal Vicar of East Africa.

After the Worship Gathering a great meal was hosted for the participants in the Refectory of the adjacent Greek School of “St Constantine” on behalf of the Hellenic Community of Tanzania.