The Mission in Latin America
His Grace Bishop Timotheos of Assos attended the gathering of the Orthodox External Mission Fraternity and presented the missionary work being carried out in the Holy Metropolis of Mexico.
The Holy Metropolis of Mexico covers 40 countries in Central America and the Caribbean, as well as Colombia and Venezuela, and is under the guidance of Metropolitan Iakovos of Mexico, whom Bishop Timotheos described as a great blessing for the region.
His Grace referred to the recent visit of the Patriarch of Alexandria to Panama, as well as the construction and renovation of holy churches in Panama and Colombia.
He described the harsh reality experienced by Colombians, with 60% of the population living in poverty, and referred to the significant charitable work carried out by the Orthodox Church, despite its limited resources.
Significant mention was also made of Cuba, where Orthodoxy is progressing under difficult conditions, supervised by Bishop Athenagoras of Myrina.
His Grace emphasized the importance of the living experience of Orthodoxy, stressing that “we cannot spread Orthodoxy by merely reading about it in books.”
In this context, he announced the intention to establish a Spanish-speaking skete on Mount Athos, which will serve as a spiritual center for monks and faithful from Latin America.
Finally, Bishop Timotheos thanked Romfea.gr, which stands by Orthodox missionaries, promoting informative events about the Mission’s work worldwide.
Orthodox students from Colombia and Venezuela also attended the event, expressing gratitude for the support and emphasizing that they feel very much at home in Greece and that Orthodoxy represents “light in the darkness” for their countries.
