On Monday 17 February 2025, we had the honour to receive the assertive missionary of the Church of Tanzania, his grace Bishop Chrysostomos of Bukoba. His distinguished entourage was brightened by the professor of the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Mr. Athanasios Paparnakis, as well as the abbess and a nun from the Holy Monastery of St. Kosmas the Aetolian in Arnaia.
Fr Chrysostomos informed the Board of Directors about the completion of the school in the Kakerere area which was financed by a donor of ours, the preliminary operation of the school as a kindergarten and the remaining need for the construction of dormitories where the students will stay, a kitchen and dining room and all their equipment.
He also requested the construction of a well for the provision of clean water and proper sanitary care to the students and teachers of the school, estimated to cost about 5,000 euros.
He also stressed the need to support the 15 missionary communities in his diocesan jurisdiction. The monthly cost amounts to 2,000 euros and he received our commitment that, our finances allowing, it will be covered by the Fraternity.
In addition, he informed us about the completion of the building facilities of the theological faculty and talked with Professor Paparnakis about its operations, planning and staffing. The aim is for the second Orthodox theological school in Africa to be operational by early 2028.
Finally, His Grace Bishop Chrysostomos (Maidonis) and the Fraternity’s president, Charalampos Metallidis, agreed on their upcoming joint participation in the two-day missionary conference on “The Missionary Consciousness of the Church”, to be held at Zoodochos Pigi church in Larissa on 22-23 February 2025.
