The Metropolitan of Nairobi in Thessaloniki for Saint Chrysostom
His Eminence Metropolitan Geron Makarios of Nairobi visited Thessaloniki, as a guest of the Orthodox External Mission Fraternity.
Present in the same place where in 1963 the spiritual children of “Papa-Chrysostom” gathered to found the first missionary association in Greece, the Archbishop of Kenya spoke about the personality of Saint Chrysostom Papasarantopoulos, who was recently canonized by the Patriarchate of Alexandria.
His Eminence, being today the longest-serving active missionary in Africa, confessed that since his teenage years he had corresponded for many years with Saint Chrysostom, who inspired him to take an interest in the Mission.
“My dear Andreas… go forth with the grace and help of our Christ. If the Lord allows me to work here for 8 to 10 years, I will be happy to hand over to you, Andreas Tillyrides from Limassol, Cyprus, the continuation of the sacred work,” Saint Chrysostom wrote to him.
And indeed, 25 years later, in 1986, the current Metropolitan arrived in Africa to continue the Elder’s work.
He also made special mention of Saint Gabriella, who stayed for two years in Kenya, serving alongside Saint Chrysostom, who greatly esteemed her and considered her a living saint.
At the same time, Metropolitan Makarios did not hide the darker sides of history and the rejection the saint received from people within the Church. “Unfortunately, this is how it is in our Church. Clergy and hierarchs, in particular, fight against this work of spreading the faith,” he sadly noted.
However, Saint Chrysostom always saw these adversities not as a reason to give up, but as an opportunity for new missionary openings. Thus, from Kenya, he found himself in Congo, where he served for a year and a half and reposed in sanctity.
“When we speak of Chrysostom Papasarantopoulos, we speak of a Saint, a new Apostle who paved the way for Orthodoxy deep in the heart of Africa,” His Eminence noted.
The event concluded with the youth choir of the Holy Metropolis of Kalamaria, which, under the care of Fr. Theodoros Tsampatzidis, filled the hall with their angelic voices and Christmas melodies.
However, His Eminence’s visit also included other activities.
On Sunday morning, December 14, the Metropolitan of Nairobi officiated at the holy Byzantine Church of Panagia Acheiropoietos, where his sermon deeply moved the large congregation.
On Monday, he visited the B’ Amphitheater of the School of Theology, at an event co-organized by the Fraternity and the Department of Theology of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and spoke about his 50 years of Orthodox missionary witness on the African continent.
The lively audience, consisting mainly of students, attended to carefully follow, with numerous questions, the living history of Orthodox Mission in East Africa.
