The Miracle of the Holy Spirit in Côte d’Ivoire

In this present life, where selfishness, weaknesses, and passions afflict and imprison people, the finite mind is unable to think and the tongue to express what our Lord Jesus Christ is working for the salvation of our souls.

The Holy Spirit, whom the Risen Christ assured that He would send to His fearful and hidden disciples (John 15:26), from the day of Pentecost until today and forever, will enlighten human beings to understand the unattainable magnitude of the Lord’s love for us.

The reality that we experience here in long-suffering Africa is completely different from what most people in the “developed” countries of our planet understand. Here in Africa, in Ghana and in the Ivory Coast, we experience the miracles of Christ, small and great, every minute of our lives. We witness His benefits and glorify His Name, because “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending”, saith the Lord, “which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (Rev. 1:8)

During our very regular pastoral visits to the Republic of Ivory Coast, we were approached by a large group of schismatic Christians, consisting of twenty-four self-proclaimed “Orthodox clergymen”, with their twelve “parishes” and approximately five thousand faithful, who – as they assured us and we saw with our own eyes, had refused a proposal by a deposed former clergyman to join the Russian pseudo-Exarchate. In their written request, they expressed their desire to join the Body of the Orthodox Canonical Church of Africa, which is the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa. Let us recall the similar historical event of the accession to the Orthodox Church of our Ghanaian Orthodox brothers (until then Protestants), who found us on their own, and since 1982 they have been under the canonical jurisdiction of our Patriarchate.

With the blessing and approval of His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, His Holiness Theodore II, and following the canonical procedures, we began the catechisms that lasted an entire year. The arduous work of catechism was undertaken and continues to this day by order of our Patriarch, the Congolese Archimandrite Fr. Chrysostomos Kamuanga, from the Holy Metropolis of Kinshasa. We admired the zeal of our Ivorian brothers for the knowledge of the Orthodox faith and life, of its doctrines and traditions, living unique early Christian experiences.

During our last missionary tour to Ivory Coast (from 22/2 to 20/3/2025), after we ascertained and confirmed their Orthodox faith, knowledge of the doctrines and tradition of the Church, we proceeded to the first clergy ordinations. After everyone had confessed and received the Canonical Confirmation from a Spiritual Director we had appointed, they then signed a libel and we received them through the Sacrament of Holy Chrism together with their family members.

Subsequently, during our stay in Ivory Coast, by the Grace of the Holy Spirit and the approval of our Patriarch, we ordained 12 Priests, 10 Deacons as well as  23 new Readers through the laying on of hands process, for the liturgical needs of the new Parish Communities. Currently, in the missionary Diocese of Accra (Ghana and Ivory Coast), there are 43 clergymen in total serving and preaching the Gospel of Christ to the indigenous people.

We celebrated the Inauguration Service of the new Parish Church of the Assumption of the Theotokos in the Brofodoume Region (24/2), as well as the Thyranoixia Service, placing Holy Antimensia in the 14 new Parishes and chapels in honor of : St. Basil the Great in Angre, Saint Maximus the Confessor in  Bingerville, Saint John the Theologian in Plateaux, Saint Mary of Egypt in Yopougone, Saint George the Trophy -Bearer in Djorobite, Saint Seraphim of Sarov in Abatta, Saint Nicholas of Myrrh in Bassam, the Holy Epiphany in Bouafle, Saint John Chrysostom in Sinfra, Saint Mary Magdalene in Quasi, and the Transfiguration of Christ in Dabou, which were incorporated into the Holy Metropolis of Accra. We also laid the foundation stone for 3 new Parishes that are scheduled to be erected.

The missionary work of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa continues with respect for traditions, understanding of spiritual needs, and of course, charity, throughout the Continent. The Lord Jesus Christ, “the enlightener and sanctifier of all men coming into the world,” is the One who governs His Church. Every opposing, anti-evangelical and anti-canonical force that fights this work, using human worldly wisdom and wealth, sowing lies, division and discord, will fall. The glory of Orthodoxy will shine in the hearts of all Africans!

Dear friends of the Missions,, “these things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:11). Expressing “again and again” the gratitude of our Local Church residing in West Africa, the Holy Metropolis of Accra, Ivory Coast and Mali, to the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity of Thessaloniki, our “fellow workers of joy” (2 Cor. 1:14) for the continuous promotion and support of our pastoral, charitable and missionary work in general, we ask you to continue to help our effort to spread the Gospel of Christ on the African Continent.

† Daniel of Accra