With great joy, we announce that Father Parthenios from Tanzania has graduated from the Department of Social Theology and Christian Culture at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), receiving his degree in Theology with honors (“Excellent”).
Father Parthenios, son of the late Father Sosthenes—the first Tanzanian priest—hails from Tanzania. With the blessing of His Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, and under the guidance of His Eminence Metropolitan Agathonikos of Arusha, he came to Greece to study Theology, with the aim of later serving the Church in his homeland with greater knowledge and experience.
With the ongoing support of the Missionary Residence of Saint Dionysios, Father Parthenios successfully completed his studies, mastered the Greek language, became a capable chanter, and a devoted minister of God’s sacraments. His excellent knowledge of both Greek and Swahili makes him a valuable collaborator for the Holy Metropolis of Arusha in the translation of liturgical and patristic texts.
He was ordained deacon and priest at the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of Vlatadon, where he served with obedience, humility, and zeal, participating in the monastery’s ministries and services under the guidance of the Abbot, the Most Reverend Bishop of Amory Nikiforos.
In particular, we extend our heartfelt thanks to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who, with paternal love and care, granted Father Parthenios the blessing and permission to reside at the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of Vlatadon during his studies, as well as to be tonsured a monk and ordained there. This blessed care of His All-Holiness was invaluable and decisive for his spiritual journey and the completion of his theological education.
As he returns to Africa to continue his ministry alongside His Eminence Metropolitan Agathonikos of Arusha, we express our deep gratitude and warmest congratulations. We pray that the Lord, through the intercessions of Saint Dionysios, strengthens him, blesses his work, and always guides him.
