The Voice of Orthodoxy in a Distant Land
Many wishes and heartfelt greetings to all who labor, offer, and pray for the work of the External Mission in faraway Burundi, one of the smallest states in eastern African land, just below the Equator. With people poor but dignified, who work day and night to earn their living. Their land is fertile and every sowing yields many fruits, as does their internal disposition to cultivate and sow the Word of God in their souls. Some because they truly felt God’s touch within them, some because they seek the truth amidst the diversity of religions and Christian doctrines, and some because they simply find rest with the help we offer to improve their daily lives.
We are not many, but we exist. We give our testimony through our discreet presence. The first Greeks built the beautiful Holy Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, which dominates the center of Bujumbura since 1955 and is a point of reference for everyone. The Holy Consecration of the Church was performed on March 27, 1960, by His Eminence Metropolitan of Central Africa Cyprian Papadopoulos.
Everything started from this Church. The first Missionaries were Greeks with their families, who arrived at the beginning of the last century to improve their lives by establishing their businesses. Along with Greek civilization, they brought Orthodoxy. Of course, from then until now, much has changed. Few Greeks remain, but they are truly Greek Orthodox Christians, despite being far from the motherland and from the place where the heart of Orthodoxy beats.
Perhaps sometimes we feel (Orthodox Church and Greek Community) that we have been forgotten. We feel this loneliness and can do nothing but reminisce about past glories and struggle not to lower our flag, not only from the mast but also from our consciousness. Indeed, we feel proud as Greeks seeing our Greek flag waving at the ends of the earth.
I made this long introduction to tell you that we exist even though we are few. We want your help. Don’t forget us. Don’t misunderstand us for making our needs known to your love.
The work of the Church is not temporary and ephemeral; it is the work of earthly and eternal life. Any help is welcome. Even your prayers. We try to stand on our own feet, but unfortunately, our needs bring us to our knees. We do not despair. Clergy and laity, we are present to keep the churches open and equip them with whatever is necessary, without excesses. Where there are none, we rely on the generosity of clerics who open their homes and turn them into Churches.
Now we are trying to buy land to build two more Holy Churches, of Saint Iakovos Tsalikis and Saint George Karslides. At the same time, to whitewash and restore the damages to the Metropolitan Church and our Schools in Buramata.
In the first Apostolic years, only preaching was sufficient. Now that alone is not enough; we must educate people. That’s why our main concern is catechism. One thing leads to another. Feeding, healthcare, learning a craft are needed. The most important thing is to teach them that we don’t live only for now, but also for after, for tomorrow, and for the ages, so they can create their Orthodox culture, their history.
My brothers, if you want the bell of Orthodoxy to be heard in the God-blessed country of Burundi and to the ends of the world, it is us, the Greek Missionaries, who left our comforts and came to distant and unknown places to ring them. Don’t forget us. A thank you is a small word, but behind it lies the love of people and the offering of all fellow missionaries.
Once again, a big thank you to the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity, the President, the Members of the Board, and all the volunteers who surround the Brotherhood and stand by our work.
† Bishop Isaac of Burundi
