It is a great experience to witness the Grace of God, which is widely spread throughout every Divine Liturgy in Africa. The joy of the people, young and old, as they come to the Divine Liturgy is indescribable. One sees orphaned children carrying their younger siblings on their backs, or elderly people walking many kilometers for this much-anticipated encounter with Christ!
In Africa, the faithful participate fully throughout the Divine Liturgy and other services, chanting together and creating a deeply reverent atmosphere that captivates the soul and moves it to prayer, secret glorification, and supplication. This is the mystagogy of Africa!
All of this reminds us of the life of the early Christians. Moments from the life of the first Church are revived in every corner of Africa. A custom of the early Christians was the “love feasts”—meals following the Divine Liturgy. This tradition continues in every Eucharistic gathering in Africa. After the Divine Liturgy, a meal of love is offered, provided by our brothers and sisters from Greece and the rest of the world.
Many members and donors of our Association send donations for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and for these meals, either for the health of loved ones or for the repose of the departed. Sometimes as many as 1,000 people may partake in these humble meals. After all, “Africa is a vast stomach that must first be filled before one can speak to it about God”, as His Eminence, Metropolitan Agathonikos of Arusha, has noted.
A little rice, beans, and occasionally meat bring smiles to thousands of our brothers and sisters…
Divine Worship - News
The feast day of Saint Dionysios of Olympus in Central Tanzania
Inauguration of our new borehole in Tanzania
