We recently held the funeral service of late Samuel, who was a reader at St. John’s parish Church in our Holy Diocese of Kisumu and Western Kenya. Samuel was one of the people of our Diocese, and in general ,of Kenya and of the African continent who die of countless diseases apart from the peaceful death that we all ask for, that is, a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.This is not to frighten us; on the contrary, it is to prepare us for the sweetest death and resurrection that we experienced during the Holy and Great Week and every day of our lives, but also the personal resurrection of each one of us.
Here in Kenya there are no cemeteries like the ones we have in our homeland, where we can go on the Saturdays of Souls or any other day to light the candle of our dear departed. This means that the funeral service takes place in the homes of the deceased where the family opens a family grave for the burial and the reading of the funeral service with the relevant prayers. Not to mention that the distances for the friends and acquaintances of the deceased are very long and it takes them hours, maybe even a day, to arrive and pay their respects to the deceased person and their condolences to the grieving family.
Not to mention that the distances for the friends and acquaintances of the deceased are very long and it takes them hours, maybe even a day, to arrive and pay their respects to the deceased person and their condolences to the grieving family.
Also, the deceased remains for days and perhaps weeks at the funeral home until family or friends raise the appropriate amount of money to cover the expenses for the conduction of the funeral service. After the service, the family will offer a treat at home to honor the deceased.
In this way, with people’s love, contributions and donations, we as well can help to make a dignified funeral for our beloved African Orthodox brother.
When a person is seriously ill, we try to help so that they can go to hospital to get their treatment; but we do the same even for minor illnesses, because if the patients do not get the right medication, they are at risk of deteriorating and dying. Due to lack of financial resources, it is utterly impossible for us to help everyone in need, but we do our best and leave the rest to God.
May our Risen Lord Jesus Christ grant us all eternal life and the joy of His Resurrection. I would also like to convey the heartfelt wishes and blessings of the Prelate of our Alexandrian Church, His Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch Theodore II.
† Marcos of Kisumu
