On the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women, His Eminence Metropolitan Nikodemus of Nigeria presided over the ordination of a priest and a Deacon, where, with light on their faces of the faithful, the youth vowed the Orthodox Faith to continue to live, flourish and illuminate every corner of Nigeria.
With faith, love, and hope, the Orthodox Church is charting a new path on the blessed land of Nigeria. This phrase captures the struggle and mission of the local Metropolis for a better future in Africa’s most populous nation.
Orthodoxy carries out this sacred task through the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, under the humble missionary Patriarch of Christendom, His Beatitude Theodoros II, and through the Holy Metropolis of Nigeria, shepherded by His Eminence Metropolitan Nikodimos.
In an atmosphere of spiritual joy and emotion, the Holy Metropolis of Nigeria witnessed a historic moment on the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women, with the ordination of a new Priest and a new Deacon in the distant State of Benue, Nigeria.
Sunday of Myrrh-bearing Women, a symbol of Orthodox Faith Rebirth in Nigeria
This day, dedicated to the Myrrh-bearing Women who ran to Christ’s Tomb with faith and love, became a living symbol of the rebirth of Orthodoxy in the Holy Metropolis of Nigeria.
Two new laborers of the Gospel dedicated their lives to Christ and His Church, under the tearful gaze of the faithful community of St. Stephen the Protomartyr.
The hearts of the faithful overflowed with gratitude as they beheld the future of the Orthodox faith taking root deep in the soil of West Africa.
The youth, with light on their faces and hope in their souls, stood beside the newly ordained clergy, vowing that Orthodoxy will continue to live, to flourish, and to illuminate every corner of Nigeria.
With deep emotion, His Eminence Metropolitan Nikodimos of Nigeria expressed heartfelt gratitude to the parish priest and Archieratical Vicar of the State, Archimandrite Fr. Andreas Ioraver, for his tireless and selfless service to thousands of faithful.
Fr. Andreas, who also serves as a veterinarian, stands as a living example of offering and sacrifice.
Metropolitan Nikodemus expressed gratitude to the Orthodox Faithful
The Metropolitan also expressed thanks to the wonderful choir, who sang to the Risen Lord with souls full of faith, filling the church with Paschal joy.
He further conveyed the heartfelt wishes and paternal blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, who embraces the children of Nigeria with love and blesses the missionary effort.
Thus, the largest Orthodox community in Benue State sent out a resounding message:
“In a land that once knew only silence and waiting, today the hope of the Resurrection echoes.”
For in the bright, youthful faces lies the future of Orthodoxy in the heart of Africa. And so, the mission continues, and will continue, with one sacred goal: that the Light of Christianity may never be extinguished.
There, in the remote regions, the distant villages with the simplicity of the locals and the nature that embraces human mortality with its beautiful landscapes, it is only Faith that leads to spiritual and soulful uplift.
This is why the skies of Nigeria and the people of Benue cry out in a loud voice:
“Christ is Risen!”
