On August 18, Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria arrived in Tanzania. There he was greeted by the Patriarchal Vicar Archimandrite Chrysostomos Maidonis, Bishop Agathonikos of Arusha, members of the Episcopal Council, and local priests. It is worth noting that in late 2020, the ROC stated it had priests in Tanzania and Kenya who were in opposition to Patriarch Theodore and ready to quit the Patriarchate of Alexandria to form a base for the ROC’s presence in Africa.
After Patriarch Theodore recognized the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the Moscow Patriarchate plotted to split the Church of Alexandria. As the religious expert Oleksandr Yefremenko noted, “ROC clerics Andrei Novikov and Georgy Maksimov have repeatedly traveled to Africa. There, with the blessing of the ROC clergy, they studied the moods and selected among the clergy of the Church of Alexandria people of interest to the ROC. The main focus was on whether the latter could oppose Patriarch Theodore and join the future structure of the ROC in Africa.” Yefremenko said the creation of a ROC body in the canonical territory of the Patriarchate of Alexandria has clear objectives: “to force Patriarch Theodore to change his decision on the OCU” and “get another point in trying to take the lead in Orthodoxy.”
However, the press service of the Patriarchate of Alexandria describes the recent visit of Patriarch Theodore to Uganda as a warm meeting with the clergy and faithful.
Despite more than two years of intimidation and “last warnings,” the Moscow Patriarchate has failed to make any significant progress in Africa. This is evidenced by the visit of Patriarch Theodore to Tanzania, Uganda, and other regions of the continent.
Patriarch Theodore was accompanied to the border with Uganda by Metropolitan Macarius of Nairobi, Bishop Sulu of Gulu and Eastern Uganda, as well as clergy and MPs, accompanied by a state security convoy and Archimandrite Elpidophore, the official statement said.
It is emphasized that Patriarch Theodore and his entourage were satisfied with the reception prepared by Christians, and especially young people – with dances, songs, and gifts.
Christians warmly welcomed the patriarch. Early in the evening, the patriarch arrived in Bukomba, where priests, their wives, nuns, and seminarians from the Evangelist Luke Theological Seminary were awaiting him at the hotel. Patriarch Theodore had lunch with the priests and their wives.
Patriarch Theodore thanked the president of Uganda for his hospitality and wished peace and prosperity to the people of Uganda.
Earlier, the patriarch also visited the Aconibendo district, where he consecrated the clinic of St. Nectarios, thus completing the fourth day of his pastoral visit to Uganda. On Saturday, October 16, Patriarch Theodore celebrated the Divine Liturgy and preached the divine word in the Cathedral of St. Lawrence.
It should be recalled that Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa arrived at Entebbe International Airport in Kampala (Uganda) on Monday, October 11, where he was greeted with honors. The Patriarch of Alexandria also paid a visit to the Aksum Metropolis.
We also reported on the six friends of the ROC, within the Patriarchate of Alexandria.
Earlier, Patriarch Theodore II said that if his heart was torn apart, one would find Ukraine inside. And his decision to recognize the OCU came following many prayers and reflections.
