MULTIFUNCTIONAL MISSIONARY CENTER OF ARUSHA
Arusha stands as the most prominent tourist center in Tanzania. Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the African continent, together with the vast national parks that shelter rare and endangered species, form a remarkable destination that attracts nature-loving tourists from across the globe.
The city serves as a central point of reference for East African nations, functioning as an indisputable hub. Arusha hosts courts and central United Nations offices, where proceedings promoting peace were conducted following the civil conflicts in Burundi and Rwanda.
In the wider Arusha region, particularly in Moshi, the first missionary of Tanzania, the late Archimandrite Nikodimos Sarikas, carried out his sacred work. He reposed in the Lord in 1941. He was the pioneer who courageously and blessedly opened “new horizons” in the ecclesiastical life of Africa. He was the first to extend the embrace of the Orthodox Church to our indigenous brothers, engaging in extensive missionary and charitable activities. His humble thatched hut on the outskirts of Moshi became a spiritual center for thousands of Africans, who daily sought solace and instruction in the Orthodox faith.
Today, eighty years later, the Orthodox presence in Arusha is being revitalized. The existing Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, formerly serving the once-thriving Greek community and situated in the courtyard of Saint Constantine International School, remains the sole Orthodox landmark in the greater Arusha area.
The historical Greek community left an enduring positive impression on the people of Arusha, facilitating the acceptance of the renewed Greek Orthodox presence. The local faithful, though accustomed to the presence of Western tourists, rejoiced at the reopening of the Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos.
In December 2016, during the ordination of His Eminence Metropolitan Agathonikos of Arusha, His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodore II, shared with all present his long-held vision for the city of Arusha, a vision nurtured from the day he ascended the Patriarchal Throne of Saint Mark. In accordance with His Beatitude’s intentions, preparations were gradually undertaken for the establishment of a new Metropolis of the Alexandrian Patriarchate in Central Tanzania, with its seat in Arusha. The Patriarch envisioned the creation of a multifunctional Missionary Center, encompassing diverse religious, educational, and charitable structures, thereby positioning Arusha as a reference point for Orthodox missionary work throughout East Africa.
In March 2017, following the enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Agathonikos, initial steps were taken to establish a renewed dynamic Orthodox presence in the region. With the support of the members of the Missionary Shelter “Saint Dionysios of Olympus,” a ten-acre plot was purchased near the main road connecting the city to the international airport and local universities, with additional land acquisitions made subsequently.
As a prominent tourist center, Arusha attracted numerous Christian sectarian groups, some of which have maintained a presence in the city for decades. Of particular note are Protestant denominations and various “charismatic” Christian movements. These groups do not honor the Mother of God or the Saints and often present a distorted form of faith to our indigenous brothers.
Amidst these challenges and the prevalence of heterodox teachings, we humbly pray and rely upon the blessing of God, hoping that Arusha will once again flourish as a significant Orthodox Missionary Center, firmly rooted in the Gospel. Essential preparatory works have been completed, including perimeter fencing, construction of an entrance gate, and the drilling of a borehole to provide water for ongoing and future construction, as well as for the future clergy and the local community.
The new multifunctional Missionary Center of Arusha will encompass:
- A Theological Seminary
- A Center for the Teaching of Ecclesiastical Arts
- A Technical School offering practical vocational training in sewing, culinary arts, and domestic skills for girls, and in computer studies, carpentry, electrical work, and mechanics for boys
Concurrently, the Theological Seminary will operate alongside the Technical School, forming the spiritual core of the initiative. The Technical School will complement the Seminary, forming young men and women who are both spiritually and practically equipped to serve their communities and uphold Christian dignity.
The center will also provide dormitories, where children will live communally, participate in liturgical services, and interact “in Christ,” integrating spiritual formation with practical learning. The dormitories will cultivate discipline, collective responsibility, and social development, while providing an environment that nurtures a firm foundation in Christian values and moral formation.
Furthermore, the center will house the translation committee of the Holy Metropolis of Arusha, consisting of indigenous priests fluent in English, under the coordination of Nun Alexia Prasianaki. The translation of liturgical and patristic texts is of vital importance for the spiritual life of our indigenous brothers, as even routine liturgical texts, such as the Supplicatory Canons and Menaia, have not yet been translated. This ongoing work seeks to establish a solid foundation for Orthodox liturgical and spiritual life in Central Tanzania.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOLY CATHEDRAL OF THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS
Work is progressing rapidly on the construction of the Holy Cathedral of the Most Holy Theotokos within the Arusha Missionary Center. A long-cherished dream is becoming reality. The Cathedral will serve as the central place of Orthodox worship in a region yearning for spiritual guidance. It will be the heart of missionary activity, nurturing future generations in the embrace of the Theotokos, and offering a refuge and source of consolation for all people.
His Eminence Metropolitan Agathonikos of Arusha, together with his close collaborators, personally supervises the progress of construction with unwavering dedication. We extend our gratitude to all members and benefactors of the Missionary Shelter who support this sacred endeavor. The path ahead remains long, and the completion of the Cathedral requires the collective effort of all. Every donation, prayer, and act of advocacy constitutes a precious stone in the foundation of the future Cathedral of the Theotokos.
Click here to find the bank accounts of our Association, where you can contribute your love and support toward the completion of the Cathedral.
