On August 22nd, the day on which our Holy Church commemorates Saint Agathonikos the Martyr, His Grace Bishop Agathonikos of Arusha and Central Tanzania celebrated his name day.
With proper ecclesiastical order and devout solemnity, Matins and the festive Divine Liturgy were held in the Katholikon (main church) of the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of Saint Dionysios of Olympus, outside the monastic enclosure, which was presided over by the celebrant, His Grace Bishop Agathonikos. Concelebrating were the Very Reverend Abbot of the Monastery, Archimandrite Elder Maximos, fathers from other monastic brotherhoods, priests from various Holy Metropolises, as well as the monks of the Monastery.
Before the dismissal, a memorial service was held for the repose of the soul of the late Metropolitan Agathonikos of Kitros.
In attendance were the President of the Brotherhood of Foreign Missions of Thessaloniki, Mr. Charalampos Metallidis, the Vice-President, Mr. Notis Psarras, along with other local political figures and representatives of various organizations.
A large number of people, members and friends of the Mission and the Missionary Shelter, reverently attended the sacred services, praying with emotion for His Grace and the laborious missionary work which is being carried out in distant Central Tanzania. Through their presence and prayerful support, they expressed their moral and spiritual backing of this endeavor.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a monastic hospitality was offered in the Synodikon (reception hall) of the Monastery. There, the Abbot and spiritual father of His Grace, Elder Maximos, addressed words of paternal love and blessing to the celebrant Bishop, wishing him to continue tirelessly, with humility and endurance, the good fight of the mission. At the same time, he urged those present to actively and meaningfully support the multifaceted pastoral and philanthropic work of the Diocese of Arusha.
His Grace, visibly moved, thanked all those present for their love, prayers, and unwavering support. He briefly informed the faithful about the new initiatives, needs, and challenges faced by the mission in Central Tanzania, emphasizing the importance of unity and prayer as the foundation of the work.
At the conclusion of the gathering, Elder Maximos, in his capacity as President of the Missionary Shelter, announced the upcoming event of the “Missionary Archontariki” (a traditional Orthodox fellowship and talk), which will take place on Wednesday, September 17th, at the “Pierida” Family Center, with the Most Reverend Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol as the guest speaker. All proceeds from the event will go entirely to support the mission in Central Tanzania.
May our Lord, through the intercessions of Saint Dionysios and the Holy Martyr Agathonikos, grant His Grace health, strength, and enlightenment, as well as to every devout Christian who supports the missionary work at the heart of the African continent.
