On the feast day of Saint Paisios, 12 July, a missionary delegation from Larissa, Greece, visited the Holy Diocese of Jinja and Eastern Uganda and participated in the baptism of approximately one hundred newly illumined African brothers and sisters.
The missionary team, consisting of 8 members, along with Archimandrite Rafael, embarked on the trip to Uganda with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Hieronymos of Larissa and Tyrnavos upon the Invitation of His Grace Bishop Silvester of Jinja and Eastern Uganda
On Saturday, July 12, the preparations began early in the morning to ensure everything was in perfect order. The team was received with a warm and joyful welcome, with songs, cheers, and traditional dancing filling the church courtyard in a truly festive atmosphere. The group was greeted by the presiding hierarchy, Bishop Silvestros.
The bishop offered a brief tour of the church, diocesan offices, and the bishopric (Diocese house) currently under construction, which is destined to become the center of Orthodoxy in Eastern Uganda. During the visit, Metropolitan Hieronymos of Larissa, via a phone call, called from Greece to extend his blessings and best wishes for the successful celebration of the mystery of baptism.
The newly baptized comprised infants, children, youth, and adults (including mothers with children), all beautifully dressed in white baptismal robes, approached one by one to be received into the Orthodox Church. The culminating moment of the sacred rite was when all the neophytes, holding lit candles and led by the bishop and priests, entered the church together for the first time as members of the Church. Their angelic chanting created a scene both heard and seen that no one wanted to end.
Missionary team from Larissa commended for their love by the Bishop of Jinja
In his address, Bishop Silvester of Jinja thanked Metropolitan Hieronymos of Larissa and Tyrnavos for his love and for granting permission for the missionary team to serve in his diocese. While speaking to the newly baptized, he explained the symbolism of the white robe, which represents the purity of the soul—an offering that, though it may become soiled through sin, can always be cleansed again and again through the sacrament of confession.
At the conclusion of the event, the bishop expressed deep gratitude to the godparents from Larissa, acknowledging that the day’s baptisms would not have been possible without their generous support. The entire congregation responded with a heartfelt “THANK YOU, LARISSA!”
As the faithful exited the Church, a group of young children performed a remarkable acrobatic show, leaving everyone in awe. A love feast followed, graciously offered by the godparent families, mostly from Larissa.
May the Lord grant us the blessing to experience many more such moments of spiritual joy and grace, all for the glory of His holy name.
