Northern Uganda is blessed by a visit from the Pope of Alexandria
Patriarch Theodoros II consecrated St Catherine's Church
It was the ultimate blessing, a day to remember. St Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Acholinyek, within northern Uganda’s Omoro district, welcomed the Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, Theodoros II, known as the “Pope.” He came to St Catherine’s to consecrate the church.
“Now our church is a holy church,” according to one member of the parish community after the event.
In attendance were Orthodox Christians from throughout Uganda, both clergy and the faithful. Many other people attended as well, regardless of religious affiliation, including local and national leaders, members of Parliament, and a Justice of the Supreme Court. Over 1,400 people attended this glorious event!
At dawn on Thursday, February 20, St Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church is prepared for the arrival of the Pope, the faithful, the press, and many interested guests and the festivities that will follow.
Committees worked tirelessly, with relatively short notice, in preparation. Planning was a challenge, because members of the parish community in the remote village were unfamiliar with making arrangements for such a large and important event. Parish priest, Father Simon Menya (below), led the efforts that resulted in a successful event.
Arrival
A marching band met the Pope’s motorcade and led them to the church. Security was tight and managed by the police, due to the presence of foreign dignitaries and Ugandan political leaders.
The Pope was greeted by traditional dancers of the Acholi tribe.
Liturgy
Fr Kyrillos Okello of the Lira Deanery of northern Uganda is seen above, carrying the Gospel during the Small Entrance.
The Pope was seated on his throne, surrounded by clergy of the Diocese of Gulu, with the choir on the left. Below, Fr Simon’s youngest daughter, Fotini, is holding the Pope’s staff and Fr Simon is on the right.
Catechist Michael Otim is directing the choir, below.
Ugandan national leaders, below.
A view from the back of the church.
Bishops
All three of Uganda’s bishops were present. On the right is the local bishop, Nectarios of Gulu. Next to him is Bishop Sylvester of Jinja, followed by a bishop of the Patriarchate, and on the left is Metropolitan Hieronymus of Kampala.
Consecration
Consecration is an important rite, which aims to sanctify and bless the church so that it is protected from evil and filled with grace. A church becomes consecrated through prayer, the sprinkling with holy water, which symbolizes purification and God's grace, and by the hierarch inscribing Greek characters on the wall above the entrance.
Shown below, the sprinkling of holy water.
Part of the consecration is for the Pope to make a cross on the wall with the ‘A’ and ‘ω’ (Alpha and Omega), which symbolize Christ, the Alpha and Omega, or the beginning and the end.
Festive Activities Outside after the Consecration
Video of the festivities after the consecration
In the picture below, lunch is being served by the caterers behind the table.
The children from St Catherine’s school participate in the event.
The Pope had a full day of activities and traveled to Gulu in the afternoon. The day was truly a blessing. Many people worked hard to make it a success. There is now a consecrated church in the Diocese of Gulu, so the ordination of clergy can be performed there.
Thank you to the people who shared videos and photos of the event for this blog post.
Glory to God for this opportunity for Ugandans to celebrate their faith!