The Missions yesterday and today
On the 5th Sunday of Lent, the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity organized an event with the theme “The Missions Yesterday and Today” with two regular members of the Fraternity speaking: Fr. Antipas Nikitaras, ThD, former Patriarchal Exarch of Patmos, and Fr. Antonios Bafaloukos, ThD, scientific associate of the External Mission office of the Apostolic Ministry of the Church of Greece.
Fr. Antipas Nikitaras focused on the pioneering work of the late Fr. Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos, founder of the Fraternity; he brought to light unknown aspects of his work in East Africa, as recorded on site by his uncle Fr. Pavlos Nikitaras. He characteristically describes:
“We had traveled about 300 kilometers when torrential rain began. Our vehicle was unable to proceed. The late father maintained his composure and with youthful enthusiasm sang the verses of Veritis’s Christian song “neither the storm nor the hail frightens us…”; shortly after, our wheels sank in the mud and we were completely immobilized while crossing a stream, but the old man appeared stronger than the young ones. We lifted the car with our hands, cleared it, and continued our journey. And we were saying: where did the old man find his strength?”
Fr. Antonios Bafaloukos in turn praised the authenticity of the faith of Orthodox Christians in Africa, who eagerly seek God. At the same time, he highlighted the extreme climatic conditions prevailing in countries around the Equator and the severe shortage of drinking water that threatens people’s lives.
He emphasized the vital importance of the well-drilling program operating in various missionary locations, pointing out that a well can dramatically reduce child mortality and keep the population in place, something that the construction of a chuch often cannot ensure.
Finally, he presented the current program of the Holy Metropolis of Cameroon for the construction of 57 wells in memory of the victims of the Tempi railway accident, and expressed his gratitude to the Fraternity for funding one of them.
