On Sunday, June 15, the new Holy Church of Saint Photini in the new missionary parish of Byambutemba, under the diocese of Bukoba, was inaugurated with great joy and spiritual exultation by Metropolitan Symeon of Nea Smyrni.
He was present with the blessing of Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria and at the invitation of Bishop Chrysostomos of Bukoba and Western Tanzania.
Metropolitan Symeon arrived in Bukoba on Friday, June 13, accompanied by Protopresbyter Father Ioannis Alatelis, the head priest of the church of the same name in Nea Smyrni; his close associate, Father Nikolaos Koutroumanos; and Deacon Spyridon Georgiou. On Sunday, June 15, he presided over the church’s sacred inauguration service.
The Holy Metropolis of Nea Smyrni built this new Holy Church entirely out of love and spiritual care. Saint Photini is the patron saint of Nea Smyrni, where a splendid church dedicated to her is also located. As part of this offering, Metropolitan Symeon gladly accepted the invitation to travel to distant Tanzania to perform the holy inauguration.
The ceremony was a significant event for Orthodox Christians in the Missenyi region. Hundreds gathered from surrounding parishes with their priests. The presence of two hierarchs, sixteen priests, two deacons, twenty-three seminarians from the “Apostle and Evangelist Mark” Seminary, eight girls from the “Saint Akylina” group, five dance groups, and approximately six hundred faithful highlighted the importance of the day for the Orthodox Church in Tanzania.
During the ceremony, holy relics of the venerable martyrs from the monastery of Saint Theodosios in Jerusalem were placed in the holy altar. The late Abbot Elder Ierotheos had gifted Bishop Chrysostomos these relics. The entire church furnishings, including the sacred vessels, were also donated by the Holy Metropolis of Nea Smyrni.
In turn, Metropolitan Symeon expressed his deep emotion at taking part in this missionary event, stating that it would remain indelibly etched in his heart. He noted that he had been given a unique opportunity to witness the important work of the Orthodox Mission in Tanzania firsthand, especially in the Bukoba region. He also recalled his previous experience visiting the mission in Korea and highlighted how such experiences strengthen spiritual ministry and provide valuable inspiration to the faithful.
He concluded by saying that he would share this experience with the faithful of the Metropolis of Nea Smyrni and beyond to further strengthen their support and love for the work of the Orthodox Mission.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
