Missionary work, as a ministry of our Church, is founded on the command of the Lord: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). In our time, these words of the Lord often sound like a forgotten commandment, evoking images of the endless journeys of the Apostle Paul and the other Apostles—almost as if this command only concerned them and their era.
Missionary work is not something vague or abstract, nor is it simply the sensitivity of a few “eccentric” individuals who travel to countries in Africa and elsewhere to talk about Christ or perform acts of charity. It is much more than that. It is the primary ministry of the Church—one that seeks to embrace and invite the entire world into communion: all those who listen with goodwill and receive the saving message of the Gospel and the Holy Fathers.
In countries like Tanzania and elsewhere in Africa, one cannot speak of love or preach the Gospel of love without being followed by corresponding acts. How can someone who is hungry, thirsty, or gravely ill receive the message of hope when they live in an environment where hope barely glimmers through the darkness, and everyday life is overshadowed by hardships?
It is in this environment that Orthodox Mission strives daily to bear witness to the faith and to fulfill the commandment of love through ministry to every suffering brother and sister—without distinction of color, gender, race, or religion. This combination of preaching and offering is what makes the Orthodox presence dynamic in these lands.
Of course, this multifaceted ministry requires both material and spiritual support for those on the front lines of the missionary “battle.” From the moment of its founding, this role was undertaken by the organization “Missionary Shelter of Saint Dionysios of Olympus.”
From 2017 to the present day, under the protection of Saint Dionysios and with the help of all members and friends of the mission, great religious and charitable works have been accomplished. Eleven new churches have been built, and older ones have been renovated across the Diocese of Arusha and Central Tanzania. Liturgical and spiritual books have been published in the local Swahili language to enhance the proper celebration of sacred services and sacraments, as well as the spiritual education of clergy and faithful. Thousands of baptisms of catechumens have taken place, and catechetical work continues unabated, as many villages and communities call upon us to introduce them to Orthodoxy.
In the charitable sector, your love has achieved significant milestones in alleviating human suffering. Education, food distribution, water drilling, the operation of a polyclinic, and support for impoverished families are all core elements of your multidimensional contribution—each effort representing a small piece of your love and trust in the work of our organization.
Thanks to your support, organized food programs and food distribution to poor families continue almost daily, with the sole aim of combating hunger and deprivation. Your love pays the tuition fees of 36 students, builds and renovates schools, and equips educational facilities where schoolbooks, desks, and notebooks are lacking—and students must memorize lessons from a worn-out chalkboard. Moreover, 15 water wells—made possible by your compassionate hearts—now provide clean drinking water to thousands of people and dozens of villages, where every drop is precious and often collected laboriously from muddy remains after long walks with buckets.
However, the greatest contribution is the operation of the polyclinic and its recent expansion to include a gynecology and pediatric wing. Plans are also underway for a surgical ward for childbirth. This ministry eases human suffering and offers a ray of hope in a place where even life itself is not taken for granted.
From this position, we first want to express our deep gratitude to our revered Elder Maximos, Abbot of the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Saint Dionysios of Olympus. It was through his blessing and encouragement that our organization was founded, and under his guidance and constant support, we continue this blessed struggle in support of the missionary cause. Alongside our Elder, we also thank the Fathers of our Monastery, whose prayers and practical love support this great work.
We are also grateful to all our donors, both known and anonymous, who support every action of our Association and respond to every call to bring meaningful projects to life in distant Tanzania.
Our heartfelt thanks go especially to all members, donors, and friends of the Missionary Shelter, the tireless co-workers in this great effort to serve our fellow humans. Since the day the Association was founded, you have stood by us—some offering your love through monthly contributions, others through larger donations, and others through volunteer efforts in various activities. All are essential and necessary! Each one contributes to this great structure—this “Shelter”—which has Christ as its foundation and houses love, light, and hope for our brothers and sisters across the globe.
Saint Maximos
the Confessor wrote characteristically about the virtue of almsgiving:
“Nothing
makes the path to righteousness easier; nothing is more fitting for deification
and drawing near to God than mercy given from the depths of the soul with
satisfaction and joy to those in need… And even God is pleased with what is a
genuine offering, according to one’s ability, even if it seems small compared
to greater gifts. He did not turn away the widow who gave her two coins,
whoever she may have been.” (Mystagogia, St. Maximos
the Confessor)
We
thank you all from the depths of our hearts!
— From the Missionary Shelter of Saint Dionysios
