The Orthodox Diocese of Jinja and Eastern Uganda joyfully celebrated the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with the Divine Liturgy and the Holy Mystery of Baptism at Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Jinja.
The festive celebration was presided over by His Grace Bishop Silvester, together with clergy from across the Diocese. Hundreds of faithful gathered to commemorate the Dormition of the Mother of God, one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church, which concludes the annual Dormition Fast observed from August 1 to August 14.
The occasion was further adorned by the reception of Forty-Six catechumens, both children and adults, into the Holy Orthodox Church through the Mystery of Baptism. The newly illumined faithful came from communities and parishes surrounding Holy Resurrection Cathedral, marking a significant moment of spiritual growth for the Diocese.
In his sermon, Bishop Silvester called upon the faithful to cultivate gratitude to God in every circumstance of life.
“We must always be thankful to God, even amid trials and difficulties, because He knows the purpose of all things and works for our salvation,” His Grace said.
The Theotokos, a perfect fulfillment of divine will
Reflecting on the life and witness of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Bishop emphasized that the ultimate purpose of humanity is to seek and find God. He described the Mother of God as a perfect example of humility, obedience, and faithfulness to the divine will, encouraging the faithful never to neglect to seek her intercession before her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Speaking about the significance of the Dormition Fast and the special place of the Theotokos in the life of the Church during the month of August, Bishop Silvester recalled the words of Saint Paisios the Athonite, who taught that the Mother of God continually draws near to her children, understanding their sorrows and carrying their prayers before Christ.
Addressing the newly baptized Orthodox Christians, His Grace offered prayers that the Lord would grant them strength, mercy, and perseverance in their new life in Christ.
“These faithful have chosen to enter the Holy Church and walk in the light of Christ,” he said, urging established members of the Church to serve as worthy examples and spiritual companions to the newly baptized so that they may remain steadfast in the Orthodox faith.
At the conclusion of the celebrations, Bishop Silvester expressed heartfelt gratitude to Metropolitan Hieronymos of Larissa and Tyrnavos and to all the faithful benefactors whose love for Orthodox mission and evangelism made the baptismal celebration possible.
The Feast of the Dormition in Jinja thus became a double celebration: the commemoration of the falling asleep of the Mother of God and the spiritual rebirth of more than forty new members of the Orthodox Church, bearing witness to the continued growth of Orthodoxy in Eastern Uganda and the transforming power of the Gospel in the lives of God’s people.
