Dear, Mr. President and members of the Foreign Missionary Fraternity of Thessaloniki, rejoice in the Lord always. Allow me firstly to thank you for your continued support in our humble missionary work, and secondly to inform you of the progress of the two projects your brotherhood is funding. The high school which you financed a few months ago in the village of Soavinarivo was completed and on 26 August we held its inauguration in the presence of the Mayor of the area, the President and other political figures, as well as the representative of the Minister of Education. Also present were the Police Commander of the region and a large number of people. The inauguration took place with great solemnity and everyone was delighted with this project. Particularly moving was the moment when the two flags, the Greek and the Malagasy flags, were unfurled. There was a consecration with several priests and speeches of gratitude were made. This gymnasium will serve not only this small town, but also the villages near it. It has already been fenced and equipped internally with desks etc. The Holy Church of St. Mary and St. Magdalene which is also financed by your fraternity, we believe that by Christmas all the works will be finished and it will be able to function.
Our works, spiritual and social, are progressing, despite all the difficulties and temptations we face. Orthodoxy is constantly taking ground for the glory of God, and is becoming known in more and more places, towns and villages in Madagascar. People young and old are hungry for Orthodoxy and to become members of the church. They ask for temples to perform their spiritual duties, they ask for frequent communication with us. All this, of course, hides within it the grace of God, the grace of the Holy Spirit, which like another light dispels the darkness of atheism and the delusion of heresies that are scattered everywhere. Young and old alike run to greet us at the sound of our coming and all together, sitting in the shadows of the trees, they listen to the gospel of salvation. There is no need for ways of proselytizing or various promises. The truth of our faith is the spiritual hook that draws well-meaning souls to our Christ. The catechisms continue in all the towns and villages. And this month the sacrament of baptism is celebrated and many thousands of souls are spiritually regenerated and become children of God by grace. Churches are constantly being erected and the bells call believers and non-believers alike to common prayer. The presence of Orthodoxy with its visible and invisible signs becomes the magnet that attracts souls and leads them to the kingdom of God. The venerable Fr. Theodosius Emmanuel from the Metropolis of Ierissos and Mount Athos, with the blessing of Mons. With the blessing of Metropolitan Nicodemus, as every year, this year he visits almost all parishes and together with the local priests, he baptizes and baptizes many hundreds of souls. Last summer, with the blessing of our Most Reverend Pope and Patriarch Theodore, we had many blessings. The priests Fr. Demetrios from the Holy Metropolis of Kifissia and Maroussi with the blessing of Mons. Metropolitan Kirill visited us together with his daughter who is a teacher in Belgium and organized a seminar for priests and catechists and a camp for the children of the primary and secondary school of the Tulear area. These poor children were introduced to another way of spiritual life, the camp, which until now was unknown within the church. They all lived together as a family, played games, sang Christian songs and enjoyed their holiday. It was something unknown and unprecedented for them who never left their homes, away from their families, from their village, from their way of life.
How much a volunteer can contribute when he or she loves his or her subject. The visit of doctors from Cyprus led by Mons. The visit of doctors from Cyprus, led by Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Kition, helped greatly, offering medical assistance to our forgotten and despised brothers and sisters. Their presence in every village they went to was a real feast. Everybody rejoiced at their presence and even more so because it was the first time that white doctors had visited their village. During the time they stayed here, the Church of St. Lazarus was consecrated, which they themselves had financed. We thank God and all the volunteers who in any way help the work of the foreign mission, which is not the business of a few individuals but of the whole church crew. By helping the Outer Mission we help the work of God’s salvation.
With the love of Christ
+ Ignatius of Madagascar
