A new container for Madagascar and… Saint Chrysostom
Since late September, the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity has been funding the construction of the world’s first church dedicated to the pioneering missionary of Africa, Saint Chrysostom Papasarantopoulos, in the Holy Diocese of Toliara and Southern Madagascar.
In early November, the Fraternity began preparations for sending humanitarian aid to the region. During that period, we received a call from Bishop Prodromos of Toliara, who expressed the wish that, since the Fraternity had undertaken the construction of the church, it would also take care of its furnishing.
Less than 24 hours passed before a priest from a large parish in the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki expressed his intention to donate over two hundred church chairs to be sent to Africa!
This donation was unprecedented in the twenty years of the humanitarian aid program’s operation and came just a few hours after His Eminence’s request! Thus, as shown in the photos, the chairs were sent on November 30 along with other sacred items (epitaphios, Crucifix, holy chalices, gospels, hexapteryga, and everything a church needs to function).
The container also contained 14 tons of food, as well as an ultrasound machine, a sewing machine, and ten new mattresses.
Additionally, on the same day, a truck loaded with 7 tons of food and other useful items was dispatched to a Holy Church in Bulgaria, for distribution to orphanages, a hospital, and a child care center.
May the name of God be glorified, for with the blessing of Metropolitan Barnabas of Neapolis, the guidance of Father Anastasios Kontoleon, and the support of the Fraternity’s donors and volunteers, humanitarian aid missions continue.
