Dear friends of the Mission,
Christ is risen!
As you know, I serve as a bishop in the countries of Ghana, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. In the last issue, I was delighted to announce to you the construction of our new Church of St. Nektarios in Agboville, Ivory Coast. I will not hide from you that I received greater joy from the fact that the faithful themselves took this initiative, knowing that financial assistance at the time of the pandemic would be minimal.
This initiative particularly excited me, because it seemed that the faithful there really feel that Orthodoxy is theirs – not as something foreign, something new, but familiar, interwoven with their lives, their culture, their society. Orthodoxy has matured now. It has taken root.
Last Christmas they celebrated there the first Divine Liturgy and the baptism of 15 catechumens. For this Mass they borrowed utensils, icons and seats from our Cathedral.
I had also mentioned that the Holy Church, although it is operational, still has imperfections and shortcomings. I was deeply touched by the message I received from dear Mr. Nostis Psarras. In it he requested me to inform you immediately of the remaining monetary cost for the completion of our Holy Temple, so that it can be published in your magazine, in case a donor is found to give joy to our brothers there.
Having contacted Father Jeremiah, our Archpriestly Commissioner on the Coast for the details, I therefore take the liberty of mentioning what we still need for the completion of the Holy Church. The sums are high as Ivory Coast is considered one of the most expensive countries in Africa. Perhaps this is due to the fact that many items are imported.
- Construction and installation of four doors and fifteen windows at a cost of 3.045,80 euros
- Placement of internal PVC roof at a cost of 5.997,22 euros
- Connection to the power supply EUR 2.064,88
- Water supply 1.454,20 euro
- Paving 3.038,10 euro
- Painting and painting of the church 1.149,39 euro
- Benches and seats 1.585,36 euro
- Wooden Panel 2.673,78 euro
- Total cost of works: 21.008,73 euro
I hope again for your love, because the Orthodox Foreign Missionary Brotherhood has always supported the missionary work in West Africa and we are grateful for that.
✝ Peter Akras
