«The most important words: I forgive, I love, I give peace!», Theodoros, Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa (Great Lent 2022)

The Patriarch of Alexandria to the Ecclesiastical Community of the Saint Apostle Mark in Kinshasa

Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & all Africa

On Sunday 9th March 2022, the Feast of the Holy 40 Martyrs, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa went to the Ecclesiastical Community of the Saint Apostle Mark in Kinshasa, where in an devout and solemnity he served the Presanctified Divine Liturgy, in an area correctly transformed at the main door of the Church, so that all the faithful could participate.

In his homily, the Patriarch stressed that Lent is a wonderful spiritual journey of prayer, temperance and fasting, which leads us to the sheltered and peaceful harbor of Christ, to His Church, which is salvation. He also referred to the Holy Forty Martyrs whose memory was being celebrated, who did not shy away from the frozen lake because their hearts were warmed by the flame of Christ's love and who are an example of courage and confession for all of us Chritians who face various difficulties in our lives, to emulate. "My dear children, try to never extinguish this flame of love for Christ! "And you will achieve this in your life when you always say the most important words: I forgive, I love, I give peace!", concluded the Patriarch.

All Orthodox believers participated with great reverence in the Eucharist and partook of the Lord’s Body and Blood.

After the Service, he visited the adjacent schools of the Parish, where the students of the Elementary and High School, under the guidance of their teachers, presented a short programme of recitations and chants. He spoke to the children with paternal love, expressing his joy that he was with them and, addressing the new Metropolitan Theodosius of Kinshasa, he said that he entrusted these happy faces, the future of the Congo and Orthodoxy, to his spiritual fatherhood.

The next morning, Thursday, March 10, the Primate of Alexandria paid a visit to the Ecclesiastical Community of the Holy Archangels outside the capital, where after the enthusiastic reception, a Doxology was sung at the Holy Church of the same name.

Following the Doxology, he consecrated as Confessor the Parish Priest, Fr. Theodoros.

The faithful, the students of the schools of the Parish, welcomed their Spiritual Father, presenting a festive program of local dances and songs.

In the afternoon, he went to the Parish of St. Mark Kinshasa, where a Community Youth Meeting was held, during which young people had the opportunity to discuss their concerns with the Patriarch, and immediately afterwards the Patriarch had a meeting with "Ladies’ Spiritual Movement" of the Parish, where he spoke to them about the significance of motherhood and their important contribution to the spread of the Gospel of Christ and the Orthodox faith.

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