About two years ago, Emmanuel Diwulu, a graduate of our “St. Athanasius the Athonite” Theological School, wanted to go to the funeral of a relative of his who had passed away in the city of Bandundu. Emmanuel received the permission and blessing of His Eminence to attend the funeral. It is customary here for the funeral to take place when all, or at least, most of the relatives of the deceased have gathered, wherever they are.
Emmanuel arrived in Bandundu, but the other relatives were late. Bandundu is the capital city of the large province of Grand Bandundu, which is about twice the size as Greece in square kilometers. To get to this city, which is located about 500 kilometers from Kinshasa, one has to travel by river boat for more than ten days, or if one has money, by the small planes in one hour and a half. Taking the land route is out of the question, since the road has been severely damaged due to the continuous heavy rainfall and has become impassable at many points.
By that time, the Orthodox Word had not been heard either in that city or in the surrounding areas. No mission had taken place. When Emmanuel arrived, being fervent in faith, he did not miss the opportunity to talk about the Orthodox Church. It was the first time in their life that the inhabitants there had heard about our faith. They did not know anything about it, but as they had a longing for God, they paid attention, and soon the first group of catechumens was created. Emmanuel immediately informed the Metropolitan, received his blessing and continued his missionary work. God gave His blessing, and so, five or six groups of catechumens were created in the city districts. The natives gathered once a week, each group separately in its neighborhood, and Emmanuel catechized them. After the catechesis, they all sang hymns to God.
Orthodoxy began in the city of Bandundu with a funeral service. Seeing this progress, the Metropolitan sent his secretary Archim. Gerasimos Belesi in order to meet Emmanuel, to encourage him and to see up close the groups of catechumens.
Fr. Gerasimos, as soon as His Eminence told him, left for Banduru. On his arrival, he was greeted with great joy by the natives, met with the city mayor, conveyed the blessings of His Eminence, and then he met with the groups of catechumens, conducted the first worship services and performed the Divine Liturgy under the trees. It was the first time they had seen an Orthodox priest. Fr. Gerasimos excited the people with his preaching and love.
As soon as he arrived in Kinshasa, the Metropolitan Committee for the Grand Bandundu Province met immediately. Fr. Gerasimos reported on the progress of the Mission, and Emmanuel , who was also called, mentioned the effort being made and the blessing of God. They all glorified God. A new door was opened where one would least expect it, in a funeral .
A missionary schedule was made. Fr. Gerasimos undertook to take the plane every fifteen days , or at the latest once a month and visit them, to conduct the Divine Liturgy and bless them.
In order for the people to know what Orthodoxy is, it was decided to make radio and television broadcasts on local channels, to prepare a three-day seminar during which the members of the Metropolitan Committee of the Grand Bandundu area would speak about Orthodoxy.
However, after the pandemic outbreak, travel bans followed, Kinshasa was cordoned off, communication by land and by plane to and from the province was banned; as a result, it was no longer possible for Fr. Gerasimos to visit them, and naturally, the seminar was postponed indefinitely. Emmanuel had to continue the mission work alone, which is why he was in constant telephone communication with the Metropolitan and Fr. Gerasimos, as well as with the committee members.
As soon as the ban on the capital city was over and travel was allowed, Fr. Gerasimos, with his bishop’s blessing , left for the city of Bandundu to support Emmanuel and meet the catechumens there.
The natives welcomed him with great joy. The priest visited the mayor, with whom he kept in frequent contact by phone all the time, in order to provide enough support to the catechist and to the whole missionary effort. He met with the groups of catechumens. New people were added. He spoke to them with great love. This time, he did not officiate under the trees like the first time; a room was rented, and it is there that they praised God and the Divine Liturgy took place. Both catechist and priest realized that the base of the missionary effort should now be transferred to the city center, which is why a house was rented for the Mission Center Headquarters there. A quite large plot of land was found nearby so that in the future the first Orthodox Church building could be erected there. We purchased it for $ 18,000. We did not have this amount of money but we borrowed it and bought the land plot. It was a great opportunity, we should not miss it. The catechumens rejoiced, and we all glorified God for His blessing.
Our sweet Jesus, please forgive us for the littleness of our faith and strengthen our belief in You. You, Lord, told us that you are with us always, even to the end of the age. We are weak, spiritually blind and unable to see that you guide everything in wisdom and love. Forgive us, O Lord. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee. Please forgive us.
✝Bishop Nikiforos of Kinshasa
