Foundation of a Holy Temple in Eastern Nigeria
Komopolis, Awo-Idemili, Nigeria
Sunday 25 October 2009
A new page in the history of our local Church and especially the Orthodox communities of Imo State in Eastern Nigeria began to be written on Sunday 25 October 2009. The Lord was pleased, after many years of waiting, patience and above all prayer, to lay the foundation of the Church of St. Martyr Christopher in Awo-Idemili township, where our ecclesiastical community of the same name, one of the largest in our ecclesiastical jurisdiction, is located. Over the years, the Eucharistic assembly of our faithful has been hosted by a low makeshift structure, with the rain testing the endurance and patience of the faithful. But it did indeed prosper! It spoke to the hearts of people “far away” geographically, but “close” to our anxieties and aspirations. The decision of the Brotherhood of the Orthodox Foreign Mission of Thessaloniki to undertake the construction of the Church, marked a resurrection peacock in the hearts of all of us. The celebration of this unspeakable joy began on August 13, when at the end of the service in this community, I announced to them the construction of the Church and presented the plans of their new Church.
We started from Lagos, the headquarters of the Metropolis, on Thursday 22 October with the monk Fr. Cornelius and the secretary of the Metropolis Iakovos. It was an adventurous, strenuous trek that lasted about 15 hours, instead of the usual 7 hours. The highway was damaged at one point and hundreds of cars, trucks, tankers were stranded for hours. Heat, humidity, thirst. And then rain. And below that, gasoline shortages, and below that, intense police harassment. On Sunday 25/10 we set off very early in the morning for the area. Approaching heavy rain, which caused disappointment for all of us. How will people get to the church? How are we going to do the groundbreaking ceremony? We thought humanly, forgetting for a moment that we were there by God’s will. The service began, the rain was getting heavier, the congregation was sparse. The service went on, the rain got heavier, the place was packed. Dozens coming to the Cup of Life, the rain fading and a sun fighting the clouds, claiming victory and participation in our feast. And so it was. After all, what else could have happened? Awesome check for us His words of faith that is not even like a grain of mustard seed! All that the Church’s order requires for the foundation of a Temple was done modestly and without hindrance. Joyful and radiant were the faces of all. Sanctified the foundation, sanctified the people. Next to me, the parish priest Fr. Chrysostomos and Fr. Cornelius. Together with the pioneers and pillars of the parish, men and women. They too, after the bishop, are invited to symbolically pour cement and earth on the foundations. They have waited years for it, they deserved it. Fr. Chrysostomos’ address was simple and modest. Thanks to God, the Martyr, the donors and the bishop. Modest words from the president of the church council, the president of the women’s organization, the young president of the youth. To their addresses, the writer responded by expressing his thanks and gratitude to the Brotherhood of Orthodox Foreign Missionary Work and by addressing words of praise to the Orthodox brothers of this ecclesiastical community. Songs and dances closed the ceremony. Late in the afternoon we made our way back, with a deep satisfaction, with a grateful heart to the All-God and the sponsors. But also with the conviction that after the construction of this Church, the parish will develop into a dynamic missionary centre, sending the light and the message of Orthodoxy throughout this geographical district.
“Martyrs’ encyclical, Christ-bearer, we adore you, as a parrhesia, pray for our souls to be saved”.
+ Alexander of Nigeria
