Congo Pastoral Trip 2007 - Tshikapa

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

A typical street scene in Tshikapa.

A typical street scene in Tshikapa.

A typical street scene in Tshikapa.

We are welcomed by hundreds of faithful at the Church of Dormition. It was at night.

We are welcomed by hundreds of faithful at the Church of Dormition.

We are welcomed by hundreds of faithful at the Church of Dormition.

We are welcomed by hundreds of faithful at the Church of Dormition.

We are welcomed by hundreds of faithful at the Church of Dormition.

A welcoming speech by Father Kosmas.

A typical washed out road in Tshikapa. There are roads there that are far, far worse than this. Taking photographs in public areas is prohibited in the Congo, but there were no police around here. We are waiting for our mechanics to rebuild the front end of our Toyota Land Cruiser on the side of the road. It took them a little less than two hours.

Finally, we arrived at the Church of Saint Anastasia, and were welcomed by many faithful there.

Finally, we arrived at the Church of Saint Anastasia, and were welcomed by many faithful there.

Archbishop Gregory and Archpriest Chrysostom perform the Opening Prayers at the Church of St. Anastasia in Tshikapa.

Archbishop Gregory reads the Prayer of Forgiveness over Father Kosmas. He had already renounced Cyprianism and ecumenism and was Chrismated earlier.

The Church of St. Anastasia in Tshikapa.

Archbishop Gregory tonsured six men to be readers for our churches in Tshikapa.

I believe these are Readers Basil, Bartholomew and Demetrie.

The Small Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.

The Small Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.

The Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.

Subdeacon Kyril is taken around the altar at his ordination to the diaconate.

Archbishop Gregory performs the Laying on of Hands to ordain Subdeacon Kyril to the diaconate.

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

Archbishop Gregory tonsured seven men to be readers. These are three of them.

Archbishop Gregory elevated four readers to be subdeacons. Here, Archbishop Gregory reads the prayer over Reader Moses as Reader Palemon awaits his turn.

The Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.

The Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.

Archbishop Gregory performs the Laying on of Hands upon Deacon Kyril at his ordination to the priesthood.

Archbishop Gregory presents the newly-ordained Priest Kyril a service book. Axios!

Subdeacon Moses is lead around the altar at his ordination to the diaconate.

Archbishop Gregory performs the Laying on of Hands upon Subdeacon Moses, ordaining him to the diaconate.

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

Left to Right: Deacon Moses, Hieromonk Theophile, Archpriest Chrysostom, Archbishop Gregory, Father Cyprian, and Father Kyril.

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

A typical street scene in Tshikapa.

A typical street scene in Tshikapa.

They have a very large and interesting river that cuts through Tshikapa. Unfortunately, we were not able to get a good photograph of it. I believe this single lane bridge is the only one across the river.

They have a very large and interesting river that cuts through Tshikapa. Unfortunately, we were not able to get a good photograph of it. I believe this single lane bridge is the only one across the river.

Three new postulants who have express their desires to become monastics.

These children came to the airport carrying this sign up to us as we waited for our plane, and we just had to take their picture! Somehow, the police and soldiers understood that we were not any kind of threat, and did not give us any grief for this.

Father Chrysostom and Father Kosmas.

The view from the roof of our hotel in Kinshasa where we rested, trying to recouperate from our illnesses.

The view from the roof of our hotel in Kinshasa where we rested, trying to recouperate from our illnesses.

The view from the roof of our hotel in Kinshasa where we rested, trying to recouperate from our illnesses.

The view from our hotel in Kinshasa as we rested, trying to recouperate from our illnesses.

The view from our hotel in Kinshasa as we rested, trying to recouperate from our illnesses.

Deacon Patrick, Deacon Ambrose, Subdeacon Constantine, and Hypolotos in Archbishop Gregory’s hotel room.