On Sunday, January 12, 2025, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Parish Church of Saints Athanasius the Great and Ambrose of Milan in the village of Akrokyere, located in the Ashanti region of Central Ghana.
Continuing his pastoral visit to all Orthodox communities across the country, Metropolitan Daniel of Accra, presided over the Holy Eucharist alongside his co-celebrating clergy.
The church was filled to capacity with Orthodox faithful from the village and neighboring parishes. The village chief and his council were also present. Worship in Ghana is truly a continuous celebration of joy and mystagogy. The melodious voices, fragrant incense, holy icons, and reverence of the Ghanaian faithful transport us to the Kingdom of God, realized within the Church.
After the Great Doxology, Metropolitan Daniel conferred the rank of “Reader” upon three young men. These individuals, Theophilos, Panteleimon, and Dimitrios, serve the Church with love by reading the Epistle readings, ensuring the proper conduct of the Divine Liturgy, maintaining the cleanliness of the church, and assisting priests with any needs that arise. We hope to see them ascend to the ranks of the Holy Priesthood in the near future.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, with the blessing of the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria, the Metropolitan bestowed the title of “Economos” upon the active parish priest, Fr. Mark Fianco Aido, in recognition of his dedication to the progress of the local Eucharistic community. We wish him strength and success in his pastoral ministry.
After the service, the faithful sang hymns and local songs, praising God and expressing their gratitude to the Bishop for his presence.
Subsequently, the Metropolitan visited the nearby Parish of Saint Catherine the Great Martyr in Kumawu, where he prayed and observed the need for the church’s restoration.
