The Metropolitan of Nigeria visited the city of Benin

His Eminence Metropolitan Nikodemus of Nigeria, made a mission trip to the city of Benin, in the Edo State of Nigeria, on Sunday 15 December 2024. At the airport of the city the Metropolitan was warmly welcomed by the parish priest Father James, together with the committee of the Church Community.

Metropolitan Nikodemus, with the patriarchal blessings of His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria, travelled to one of the most beautiful and modern cities of Nigeria, reknown for its palm oil, in order for the Metropolitan support his flock from up close, to spiritually uplift and inspire them in light of the great feast of Christmas which is fast approaching, and in order to lend an ear to their problems, and, especially, to celebrate with them the Holy Eucharist, as the evangelical parable told us.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated in the Holy Church of the Evangelist Luke, His Eminence ordained Fr. James Igetei as a protopresbyter.

The parish of Benin might be small, but it is rapidly growing and it is showing a lot of promise. Already there are moves being made to build a new spiritual Orthodox centre with a Holy Church to house the ardent faith of the locals, always with the blessing of the Alexandrian Primate.

Mention should be made that a journey through a country such as Nigeria is quite a difficult and laborious enterprise. It demands careful planning and organisation, but more than anything, it requires love and patience. Neither are the conditions favourable, nor is safety ever taken for granted.

Anyone who chooses to dedicate themselves to the labour of missionary work, knows this and not only does it not hinder them, but it motivates them to work even harder to spread the word of Christ. All hardships and sufferings are forgotten when one sees in the kind faces of the faithful Africans the respect and gratitude towards the Church and the priests and witnesses their joyful participation.

Source: Metropolis of Nigeria

Photographs: Augustine Orapine & Metropolitan Nikodemus of Nigeria