The blessing of Orthodox witness in the heart of Africa
With gratitude to the All-Good God and feelings of sincere love, I extend, on behalf of the sacred clergy, monastics, catechists, and the pious people of the Holy Metropolis of Arusha, warm thanks to the Fraternity of Orthodox Foreign Mission for its continuous, selfless, and sacrificial support to the missionary work of the Orthodox Church in Africa.
Mission is not just another ecclesiastical activity, but the very breath of the Church. From the day of Pentecost until today, the Church lives and bears witness to the Risen Christ, fulfilling His commandment: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” The dissemination of the Gospel, the celebration of the Sacraments, the establishment of new parishes, the alleviation of human suffering, and the provision of education, healthcare, and clean water constitute inseparable expressions of the same evangelical ministry. The Orthodox Mission calls every person to the life of the Church, while simultaneously transforming people’s daily lives through works of love.
In this mission, your Fraternity has become a valuable fellow traveler and a true collaborator in our work. Your love is not limited to words of encouragement but is expressed through concrete deeds, which leave an indelible mark on the lives of thousands of people.
Of particular importance among these works is the construction of the first Orthodox Sacred Temple in the new capital of Tanzania, Dodoma, dedicated to the Holy Trinity. This event constitutes a historic milestone for the presence of Orthodoxy in our country. Every capital expresses the administrative, political, and spiritual heart of a state. The presence of the Orthodox Church in the center of Tanzania’s public life is a strong witness to the truth of the Gospel and a sign of the Church’s continuous presence within the world.
From this sacred altar, prayer will be offered daily to the Triune God for the peace, unity, and blessing of the entire state of Tanzania. From the new capital, the Temple of the Holy Trinity is called to radiate the light of Orthodoxy to every corner of the country, reminding us that the Church is always present wherever the life of a people is shaped.
Equally important is your valuable contribution to the great project of constructing the Sacred Cathedral of the Theotokos in Arusha, which is destined to become the spiritual center of our Holy Metropolis for generations to come. We warmly thank you for your continuous interest and unwavering support in the progress of this project.
By the grace of God, the exterior and interior plastering of the Temple have been completed. Currently, we are proceeding with the supplementary interior wooden cladding of the dome, while the immediate next stage is the construction and installation of the mosaic floor in the main Temple and the chapels, as well as the tiling of the remaining areas, the entrance, the area for the Blessing of Waters, and the offices of the Holy Metropolis on the first floor. This will be followed by the interior and exterior painting.
However, your love is also manifested through works that offer immediate relief to people. The two boreholes you funded, one in the schoolyard in Ibogho and the other in the courtyard of the Sacred Temple of Saint Stylianos in Kitisi, are true sources of life. In many areas of Africa, clean water continues to be a precious commodity. These projects ensure safe drinking water for students, families, and entire communities, protect people’s health, and substantially enhance the daily lives of residents. Thus, the philanthropy of the Church becomes a tangible experience for our fellow human beings.
God, however, continues to open new paths in the missionary field. On the feast of the Holy Glorious Chief Apostles Peter and Paul, we had the great blessing to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the village of Matalauwe, in the Iringa region. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated inside a simple thatched hut, which today serves the worship needs of the developing Orthodox community. The faithful of Matalauwe yearn to acquire their own Sacred Temple, so that they may have a permanent place of worship, catechesis, and spiritual life. This need is now immediate and urgent. We therefore extend a warm plea to all blessed friends of the Mission to embrace this new endeavor as well.
My dear brothers,
We know very well that none of this could have been accomplished without the cooperation, love, and prayers of people who, although thousands of kilometers away, feel the inhabitants of Africa as their brothers and sisters in Christ.
I pray that the All-Good God may richly bless the Fraternity of Orthodox Foreign Mission, its Board of Directors, benefactors, members, and all who support the great work of the Orthodox Mission with prayer and sacrifice. May the Lord repay your love and grant to all abundantly His grace, peace, and the unwaning light of His Kingdom.
With prayers and gratitude,
† Arusas Agathonikos
