The inauguration of the Holy Temple of Saint Nektarios in the distant Chingola of Zambia (near the border with DR Congo) was celebrated with brilliance, ecclesiastical order and in an atmosphere of emotion and reverence on the occasion of the 100th anniversary since the Repose of Saint Nektarios.
The inauguration was followed by the first Hierarchical Festive Divine Liturgy, Artoklasia (Blessing of the Five Loaves), the Divine Sermon and the procession of the icon of Saint Nektarios officiated by Metropolitan John of Zambia.
Due to COVID-19 the Divine Liturgy was performed with a special permission from the Zambian government.
Metropolitan John of Zambia shortly before the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, addressed the officials and the faithful, noting that the divine worship of our Church is a source of great power, sanctification and supplication for the faithful people of God.
Addressing the owner of the Church, Nikolaos Kourasmenakis, the Metropolitan of Zambia conveyed the feelings of Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and said, “In these difficult times when people are thirsty for the true faith and the Orthodox tradition, you have opened a well that will quench the thirst of souls in this corner of Africa”
Afterwards, the Metropolitan thanked and honored the officials with a keepsake of the inauguration.