On the name day of Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodore II (Tuesday, February 17, 2026), Metropolitan George of Guinea and Patriarchal Exarch of Mauritius ordained Seraphim Jean Florent Turpin as the first Orthodox priest of Indian Ocean island origin, from Mauritius and Réunion. The ordination took place in the city of Saint-Pierre on Réunion, which is administratively part of France.
The historic and deeply prayerful service was attended by Orthodox faithful of French, Lebanese, Romanian, Russian, and local origin, as well as friends of Orthodoxy. The atmosphere was marked by profound emotion and gratitude, as Father Seraphim became the first priest to serve the pastoral needs of the Orthodox communities on the two islands of Mauritius and Réunion.
Metropolitan George conveyed the blessings and paternal love of Patriarch Theodore II, emphasizing the Patriarch’s deep concern for the Orthodox faithful of Africa. He noted that this ordination was the finest gift that could be offered to the Patriarch on his name day: the establishment of the first native Orthodox priest to serve the faithful of these remote islands of the Indian Ocean.
The Metropolitan warmly thanked the representative of the French Parliament and wished her success in her demanding public service, underlining the historic bonds between France and Greece. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Filipe and Asterie Mezino family, who opened their home to host the entire Orthodox community of the island and to provide the space for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and the ordination. He likened their hospitality and dedication to that of the Apostles Aquila and Priscilla.
As a sign of appreciation for their faithful service and love for the community, Metropolitan George ordained Mr. Antoine Badr and Mr. Filipe Mezino as Readers, and offered a special prayer for Mrs. Asterie Mezino for her ministry in the Church, describing her as a mother to the entire community. He made special mention of the fact that, as the mother of a monk serving on Mount Athos, she lovingly cares for all as her spiritual children.
In a moving moment, Mrs. Mezino asked the Metropolitan to convey the heartfelt thanks of the entire community to Patriarch Theodore II for the ordination of their first priest. With deep emotion and tears in her eyes, she described this ordination as the greatest gift the Patriarch could have bestowed upon them, stressing that the day of the first Orthodox priestly ordination on the island is a historic milestone not only for Réunion and Mauritius, but also for the Patriarchate of Alexandria and for Orthodoxy as a whole.
