At the 2003 Annual Parish Meeting, our parish assembly approved going forward with our proposal to build a church for what will become our daughter congregation in the country of Ghana, Africa. His Grace, Bishop Panteleimon of Ghana has purchased land in Brakwa, Ghana and, the foundation will be poured in mid-May to allow it to cure before the missionary construction team arrived from the U.S. in mid-July 2004.
Brakwa is 4-5 hours by jeep, through the bush, from Accra (Ghana’s capitol). It will be the only Orthodox Church in the coastal southeast region of Ghana. Father Samuel Akuma is the parish priest in Brakwa, as well as serving three other villages in the region. In the last year there have been approximately 165 newly baptized Orthodox faithful in Brakwa (see the article below), and the number continues to grow due to Father Samuel’s fervent dedication to his catechesis, in spite of a lack of catechism materials.
Bishop Panteleimon and the local clergy are working very hard to strengthen Orthodoxy in Ghana. Churches and schools are being built to this end, but only through the generosity of Orthodox from more prosperous areas of the world. His Grace is using Ghana as a springboard to launch further mission work into surrounding African countries such as the heavily Muslim country of Gambia. So as you can see, the future church in Brakwa is serving a greater purpose than just serving one small, remote village.
Two
New Villages in Ghana Receive Baptism
From the April
2004 "Messenger"
From the Diocesan Press Office, Ghana, Africa
After many months of hard work and many hours of catechism, the villagers of Brakwa and Akim of Ghana, received Orthodoxy as the true Christian faith. His Grace Panteleimon, Bishop of Ghana, accompanied by Miss Evangelia Nyktari, representative of the Holy Metropolis of Rethymno and Avlopotamou of Creta, and the six members of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Building Team from USA, began on Thursday, 10th July 2003, very early in the morning, their long trip for Brakwa.
They arrived at the town of Brakwa after four hours. Fr. Samuel Akumah, the priest in charge of both villages, was waiting for us at a nearby school. As soon as the people saw the Diocese car, out of enthusiasm they began to cry out saying: “AKWABA”, which in Twi means “WELCOME”! Everyone was waving their handkerchiefs, left and right, as a sign of welcome. It was the first time their bishop visited their town. Many were wearing a white shirt with the Patriarchate of Alexandria’s symbol, distinguishing them as catechumens preparing for baptism.
Fr. Samuel Akumah instructed the people to get in line. In front they had the flag of the Alexandrian Church, the symbol of St. Mark, the Apostle and Evangelist, and behind the line they raised their country’s flag. They all began to sign and to slowly approach the river site.
Their enthusiasm was transmitted to rest of the villagers. The people, entirely strangers to us, came near the car to welcome us. As we arrived at the site, Bishop Panteleimon, supported always because of his physical disability, went to see the river. He then returned and separated those who would be baptized from the rest of the people present. The yard of the house with the large tree in its midst was a perfect place for the ceremony.
Before the beginning of the service Bishop Panteleimon asked the catechumens the following questions: “Do you believe in one and only God?” They answered: “Yes, we do”! A second question followed: “Do you believe in God the Father Almighty”? They responded: “Yes, we do”! A third question followed: “Do you believe in the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, and the Saviour of the world”? They replied: “Yes, we do”! A fourth question was placed: “Do you believe in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church; and that this Church, which our Lord established is the Orthodox Church”? “Yes, we do”, they replied with one loud voice! Thus, the service began.
The service lasted four whole hours. The holy catechism took place under the large tree, whereas, the main service of baptism was performed next to the river. One by one they were anointed by the Bishop. Since the weather was very hot, he sat on a plastic chair and did the anointing with the “oil of gladness.” Fr. Samuel baptized them, as the Bishop called upon the name of the Holy Trinity and named them by their new Christian names. The sponsors were the six members of the OCMC Building Team and Miss Evangelia Nyktari. Everything was performed with patience. There was no rush.
Once everyone was baptized, we returned back to the yard. The Holy Sacrament of Chrismation followed, the cutting of the hair, the offering of the holy Cross and the lighted candle. The Bishop sensing, Fr. Samuel holding the Holy Gospel, the god-parents and the newly illuminated holding their candles sang all together: “As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia”! They all went around the large tree three times.
Finally, His Grace addressed the newly illumined faithful and urged them saying amongst many other things the following: “You must live from now on as Orthodox Christians with true faith, which must be expressed through good deeds, a life of good example and holiness, worthy of bearing the name of disciples of Christ, and not just being ‘by name’ Orthodox”.
Glory to God who is the salvation of all men!
RECIPES FROM THE
MISSION COMMITTEE
WEST AFRICAN LENTEN MEAL
Held March 21, 2004
