Dear brothers, rejoice in the Lord!
I am writing to you once more from the Mission of Malawi in order to thank you for your valuable support.
I would also like to thank you for your kind offer, which helped us to build the house of the priest at the Holy Church of Resurrection in Blandyre as well as equip the church with furniture, holy vessels, holy vestments, books and all the necessary stuff for the proper operation of a church.
We are aware of the fact that you pray for us, that is why God supports and strengthens us through your own wishes and prayers. This way, the Holy Mission in Malawi is advancing, even at a slow pace.
We are praying to the Most Merciful God to send a warm-hearted donor so that we will be able to build in the city of Blandyre the Holy Church of the Nativity, whose foundation stone was laid by our Patriarch last year.
We are happy to announce to you that quite recently our Mission obtained four building plots at focal points of the region of Lilongwe. It would be a real blessing if we could find donors to pay for the drilling of wells in these plots. The cost for every well comes to 3,500 €, and it will serve 5 to 7 villages of every region.
Here, as you know, poverty has no end, there is hopeless destitution, and generally, the people are still suffering in all areas. In this extremely difficult condition, Orthodoxy manages to survive and gives a living confession where and when needed.
Wonder and Praise
This October has brought a lot of presents to our Mission, since along with the blessed visit of our Bishop, came other blessings too, which boosted it one step forward.
The first miraculous event is that with Almighty God’s help, we managed to send to the Theological School of Kenya three seminarists. Gregory, Simon and Constantine will be studying there for three consecutive years and then, being theologically educated, will be able to come to Malawi and offer their services here. The theological training of the priests-to-be is one of our major priorities so that the future priests will be able to teach properly the Orthodox faith to the other people of their region as well.
The second miraculous event is the two ordinations of the deacons Antonios and Ezekiel in presbyters. For the past five years Deacon Antonios has shown fervent zeal, set up a wonderful parish at the Church of the Archangels in Palombe, and recently attended to the establishment of the local school.
Deacon Ezekiel studied at the Patriarchal School. When he came back fully qualified, he was ordained, and now he serves as both a priest and a translator who translates the orthodox papers from English into the local language Chichewa.
As for the third miraculous event, it truly strengthened us spiritually since we still become aware of God’s presence and providence despite our sinfulness. We know very well that the Μost Merciful God reveals his miraculous signs in order to strengthen the neophytes of His church, who are badly in need of it.
So, two years ago at our church of Saint Anastasia the Farmakolytria, the catechist and the parish people woke up in the middle of the night after the first holy service that had taken place, and heard angels’ voices sing without being able to see anyone.
These days, at the church of Saints Cyril and Athanasios which is under construction at the city of Zomba, appeared a “fool”, stood in the middle of the yard and addressed to the builders and our catechists who were present. This “fool” is known in the area. He is homeless and wanders from village to village in shabby clothes. Everybody laughs at him. Young and old disdain him and when they talk to him, they do it in order to make fun of him, or to throw him something to eat. We, ourselves, have not had the chance to meet him before.
The catechists present were about to turn him away from the churchyard but he stood up among them and spoke in a loud voice. “Don’t turn me away!” he said.“ I came here to talk to you about Orthodoxy. At this very church you are building, lies true faith! Here is salvation! Now your Bishop has come to Malawi”!!! These are only a few of the things this“ fool” said before leaving in order to continue wandering.
How was it possible for such a person to whom we had never talked before and who led such a strange life, to stand up and talk so outspokenly about Orthodoxy, which leads to salvation? Of course, the Holy Spirit “blows where It wants” and enlightens whoever It wants, so that the awesome, wonderful and miraculous works of God will come to light.
On the one hand, we may be sinking in sins, but on the other, the Most Merciful God and affectionate Father is holding our hand, guides us and strengthens us in faith and salvation.
Fr Ermolaos Iatrou