Congo Pastoral Trip 2007 - Kananga

Pastoral Trip to DR Congo & Uganda -- June - July 2007

After arriving in Kananga, we were escorted into a VIP room while others retrieved our baggage and processed our travel documents for us. These are some of the priests and faithful who met us at the airport.

Outside the airport in Kananga, with some of the priests and faithful who met us at the airport.

Our escort to the Church of the Holy Apostles in Kananga. We did not know it at the time, but the policeman in riot gear is Archpriest Chrysostom’s son, Theologos, who was granted special permission to escort and provide security for us while we were in the Kananga area.

We were met there by 1000+ people, chanting hymns and throwing flower petals and palm branches in our path. They really know how to greet people in Africa! May God bless them abundantly for their love.

Two novice nuns greet Vladika, and present him with flowers on the road to the church.

The road was lined on both sides with countless women chanting hymns.

The road was lined on both sides with countless women chanting hymns.

Approaching the church. Vladika is blessing the people.

Approaching the church, another throng of joyous faithful greeting Vladika.

Approaching the church, another throng of joyous faithful greeting Vladika.

Vladika is entering the church about now, although you cannot quite see it!

Archbishop Gregory, at the ambo of the Church of the Holy Apostles, quite astounded at the overwhelming reception given to us by our faithful.

Some of the chanters singing hymns at the reception.

A view of some of those who were able to enter the church to greet Vladika.

A view of some of those who were able to enter the church to greet Vladika.

Father Timothy reads a greeting to Vladika, welcoming him to Kananga.

A view of some of those who were able to enter the church to greet Vladika.

Some of the clergy and faithful greeting Vladika.

Some of the clergy and faithful greeting Vladika.

After the reception in the church, Vladika and the clergy walked to a nearby grass hut for a clergy conference.

After the reception in the church, Vladika and the clergy walked to a nearby grass hut for a clergy conference.

After the reception in the church, Vladika and the clergy walked to a nearby grass hut for a clergy conference.

I believe this was Father Laurence’s presbytera, Maria (Naiua), who was in a serious accident earlier this year. We sent money to help enable her to get medical care.

Some of our adorable young children, outside the hut.

This is Archpriest Chrysostom and his Presbytera Leontine. Both are greatly slandered by the Cyprianites because of their conversion to true Orthodoxy.

Vladika being interviewed by local television.

Vladika is presented with some architectural plans for a new church in Kananga.

Father Theodore (right) and Deacon Pachomios (left) renounce Cyprianism and ecumenism three times.

Archbishop Gregory reads the Prayer of Forgiveness over Father Theodore and Deacon Pachomios.

Archbishop Gregory chrismates Father Theodore and Deacon Pachomios into the Church.

Reader Lazarus being made a subdeacon by Archbishop Gregory.

Reader Lazarus being made a subdeacon by Archbishop Gregory.

Sunday School lessons being given to catechumens outside the Church of the Holy Apostles, while the Divine Liturgy was being performed.

The Small Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.

Vladika blessing the people at the Small Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.

The Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.

Deacon Chrysostom being taken around the altar at his ordination to the priesthood.

Archbishop Gregory performing the laying on of hands to ordain Deacon Chrysostom to the Holy Priesthood.

Archbishop Gregory presents the newly-ordained Priest Chrysostom to the faithful. Axios!

Subdeacon Phillip kissing Archbishop Gregory’s epigonation at his ordination to the deaconate.

Archbishop Gregory performing the laying on of hands to ordain Subdeacon Phillip to the Holy Deaconate.

Archbishop Gregory presents the newly-ordained Deacon Phillip a cuff. Axios!

Some of the faithful approaching to partake of the Holy Mysteries.

Archbishop Gregory with the clergy who served the Divine Liturgy with him.

After the Divine Liturgy was completed, Archbishop Gregory was asked to meet with some of the local officials and parish directors.

After the Divine Liturgy was completed, Archbishop Gregory was asked to meet with some of the local officials and parish directors.

After the Divine Liturgy was completed, Archbishop Gregory was asked to meet with some of the local officials and parish directors. These are some of the faithful gathered around.

After the Divine Liturgy was completed, Archbishop Gregory was asked to meet with some of the local officials and parish directors. These are some of the clergy and faithful there.

Archbishop Gregory dispensing the 200 lbs of supplies, such as Gospel books, Baptismal crosses, incense, service books, etc. to the clergy.

Archbishop Gregory dispensing the 200 lbs of supplies, such as Gospel books, Baptismal crosses, incense, service books, etc. to the clergy.

In the afternoon, our priests baptized eighty former Protestants who had converted to true Orthodoxy. The previous week, our priests had baptized eighty-eight more. All of these were of the group we had met with on our previous trip to the Congo. Glory be to God for all things.

Archbishop Gregory and his clergy prepare to celebrate the Divine Liturgy on the second day in Kananga.

Archbishop Gregory and his clergy prepare to celebrate the Divine Liturgy.

The Small Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.

The Small Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.

The Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.

The Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.

Deacon Pachomios bows before Archbishop Gregory at his ordination to the priesthood.

Archbishop Gregory performs the Laying on of Hands, ordaining Deacon Pachomios to the Priesthood.

Archbishop Gregory presents the newly-ordained Priest Pachomios with a phelonion. Axios!

Subdeacon Augustine bows before Archbishop Gregory at his ordination to the diaconate.

Archbishop Gregory performs the Laying on of Hands, ordaining Subdeacon Augustine to the diaconate.

Archbishop Gregory presents the newly-ordained Deacon Augustine to the faithful. Axios!

Archbishop Gregory with the clergy who served with him, after the Divine Liturgy.

The faithful come up to kiss the cross after the Divine Liturgy.

The faithful come up to kiss the cross after the Divine Liturgy.

In the Congo, when a dignitary such as an archbishop visits a city or region, he is expected to visit with the local government leaders. This is Archbishop Gregory and some of his clergy with the mayor of Kananga.

A typical street scene in Kananga.

A typical street scene in Kananga. Often we would see groups of women like these singing as they celebrate a graduation.

This is the Church of Saint Gregory Palamas at a village about 15 km from Kananga.

These are some of our faithful welcoming Archbishop Gregory to the Church of Saint Gregory Palamas.

Archbishop Gregory, some of our clergy and faithful, at the Church of Saint Gregory Palamas.

Archbishop Gregory talks with some of the faithful at the Church of Saint Gregory Palamas.

Archbishop Gregory, some of our clergy and faithful, at the Church of Saint Gregory Palamas.

There are only two decent places for a visitor to Kananga to stay - a very expensive hotel, and a Roman Catholic hostel. A room at this hostel costs $10 night. This is Vladika’s humble abode. The water is unbelievably terrible, and there is only electricity for about three hours at night, but we gave thanks to God that we were able to stay there.