For the Church of Saint Hermolaus
Dear friends of the Mission,
Greetings in the Lord!
I feel particular joy in communicating with you, and this is because you constitute the invaluable rear guard of our Ministry in Malawi.
My blessed brethren, my heart is always filled with gratitude for the support you generously and continuously offer us. May the Giver Lord repay you manifold for what you give, and may you indeed inherit eternal life. As you know, our responsibility as Metropolitan is great and multifaceted. The needs, both spiritual and material, are numerous and pressing.
I would like to ask for your kind permission to inform you about the condition of the building of the Holy Church of Saint Hermolaus, which is located near the country’s border with Mozambique.
The late priest-missionary Father Hermolaus, shortly before his departure from Malawi, asked my humble self to begin the construction of a Church in his name, with his own funds.
However, these were not enough for its completion. Approximately six years have passed since then, and the necessary funds for this purpose have not been found.
The joyful fact is that the Divine Liturgy is celebrated there by priests who are sent. The Parish has many faithful, and recently fifty-five catechumens were baptized, who were added and registered as new members of the Body of Christ, that is, His Orthodox Church.
Glory to God for this blessing!
However, there are problems with the Church building. The floor is without cement, only earth. Also, the masonry is without plaster. There is a lack of windows and glass. There is no security due to the absence of well-constructed doors.
These are mainly the deficiencies that your kindness is called upon to cover with your contribution, which are estimated to amount to twenty thousand euros.
I am sending you photographs so that you may ascertain the truth of the matter with your own eyes.
Thank you again for your love, and we pray that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Love, may grant you health and spiritual strength, so that you may continue your invaluable offering to our African brethren in Malawi.
The grace of our Savior Christ be with all of us.
Metropolitan Fotius of Lilongwe
