The border city of Gulu in Northern Uganda, seat of the newly established Diocese of Gulu and Northern Uganda, once again experienced historic moments that marked the growing ecclesiastical life of the region.
The local Church is shepherded by Bishop Nektarios of Gulu and Northern Uganda, a Greek-speaking hierarch and well-known philhellene, who during his studies in Greece served in the Holy Archdiocese of Athens, close to the late Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Hieronymos, widely known as the “Archbishop of love.”
Following the unique and unforgettable Patriarchal visit to the humble and developing city of Gulu last February by Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodore II, during which the Patriarch consecrated the Church of Saint Catherine, a new major milestone has now been added to the contemporary history of this vibrant local Church.
On Sunday, the solemn inauguration of the newly built and majestic Church of Saint Nicholas took place, presided over by Metropolitan Symeon of Phthiotis.
Metropolitan Symeon, having received an official invitation as well as canonical permission and blessing from Patriarch Theodore II, presided at the Festal Orthros, the Rite of the Consecration of the Holy Altar, and the Service of the Church Inauguration, and then led the first Hierarchical Concelebrated Divine Liturgy celebrated in the newly consecrated храм.
Concelebrating with Metropolitan Symeon were the following hierarchs: Metropolitan Ieronymos of Kampala, Metropolitan Innokentios of Sozousa, Metropolitan Neophytos of Northern Kenya, Metropolitan Daniel of Accra and bishops.
A large number of presbyters participated, both from the Holy Metropolis of Phthiotis and from various dioceses of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, along with deacons, women’s monastic communities from Uganda, theological students, and thousands of faithful, who filled the area with prayer, joy, and thanksgiving.
