January 2015
The feasts of the Epiphany were celebrated all over the world. On 11 January, the Blessing of the Waters was celebrated on a pier in Hong Kong. In Sierra Leone, celebrations were subdued due to bans to prevent the Ebola virus, while our mission continues to distribute food and protective material. In Cambodia, most of the faithful gathered in their parishes and celebrated alone, as there are not enough priests for the 5 parishes across the country. In Sangmelima, Cameroon, the Orthodox faithful celebrated for the first time in the Church of St. Charalambos, built with funds from our Brotherhood.
February 2015
The Holy Trinity Cathedral in Saweni, Fiji, was inaugurated, as well as the St. Tavitha orphanage, which already houses local orphans, and a shelter for unprotected women. In Guatemala, the effort to integrate and settle the 350,000 Guatemalans of the Mayan tribe, who have recently converted to Orthodoxy, continues. Volunteer missionaries from the United States are assisting the work. On February 16, Bishop Panteleimon of Brazzaville made a pastoral visit to Gabon, where he met with the small Orthodox community and achieved official recognition of the Orthodox Church by the Republic of Gabon. In Tanzania, the construction of another clinic in the name of the Holy Apostles was completed in the town of Malangali, Iriga, with funding from our Brotherhood.
March 2015
During Lent, Fr Chrysostom Manalu visited the Orthodox community on the island of Nias, Indonesia, ministered and performed 28 new baptisms.
April 2015
The first Orthodox Church in the name of the Holy Martyr George the Trophy Bearer was founded in Nouqualofa of the Tonga Islands. In the town of Ddegeya, Uganda, the Holy Church of Saints Constantine and Helen was completed with funding from our Brotherhood. In Malawi, Easter arrived along with a devastating flood that left many dead, more homeless and countless houses demolished. Our mission assisted the flood victims by distributing blankets to protect them from the unbearable night humidity.
May 2015
Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria visited the Orthodox Mission of Madagascar on May 29, 2015. During his week-long tour, the Patriarch travelled many thousands of kilometres and celebrated the inauguration of new Mission institutions, namely two holy temples, a large orphanage for boys, an agricultural university, a high school and a clinic.
June 2015
Two new indigenous priests were ordained in Sierra Leone by Bishop George of Guinea, who also laid the foundation stone for the construction of an orphanage that will provide shelter for children who have lost their parents to Ebola. In Samana, Congo, work was completed on the construction of a small clinic, built with a donation from our Fraternity. Now the sick will be able to find treatment in their own place, without having to travel for days on end on the river in single file. Also, for the first time, an Orthodox missionary visit to the Samoa Islands of the South Pacific Ocean, 2,400 km north of New Zealand, took place. The Bishop of New Zealand communicated with several indigenous people, who showed particular interest in Orthodoxy. The search for land for the construction of a Holy Church has already begun.
July 2015
The Orthodox Mission in Sumatra, Indonesia, has acquired two new priests, graduates of the St. Paul Theological School in Medan. Thus, the missionary effort will now continue with 4 priests and greater intensity. At the same time, the Moscow Patriarchate sent 3 new missionaries to strengthen its missionary efforts in Thailand and Cambodia.
August 2015
New believers continue to come to the Orthodox Church throughout the African continent. In August alone, more than 110 Rwandans and 136 Congolese brothers and sisters were baptized.
September 2015
Metropolitan Alexander of Nigeria conducted a missionary tour in Benin, where he met with the priests of the region, communicated with the faithful in various communities in Cotonou and Abomey and supported efforts to expand the missionary work.
October 2015
The Church of Malawi has gained a new clergyman who will minister in the parish of Murakela, where a Holy Temple is being built.
November 2015
By decision of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, the largest missionary diocese in the world, the Holy Diocese of Kenya was divided into three dioceses: the Holy Diocese of Nairobi with Metropolitan Makarios as its pastor, the Holy Diocese of Nyeri led by the Auxiliary Bishop of Nitria, Mr. Neophytos, and the Holy Diocese of Kisumu with Fr. Athanasios Akunda as its new bishop. In Japan, another new Orthodox church in honor of St. Nicholas was consecrated with the participation of more than 100 indigenous believers. In Madagascar, the reconstruction of the Transfiguration Church in Fort Dauphin was completed with funding from our Brotherhood.
December 2015
A native Orthodox priest of Lahore, Pakistan, was attacked by a group of 30 people who shouted anti-Christian slogans and invaded his house, causing damage. Fr. John was forced to move to another safer location with his family.
