Growing from strength to strength in the Orthodox Church of Ghana
On Sunday, 12 January 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, His Eminence Metropolitan Daniel of Accra, presided over the Holy Eucharist alongside his concelebrating clergy.
The church was filled to capacity with Orthodox faithful from the village and neighbouring parishes. The village chief and his council were also present. Orthodox 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, realised 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. It is the hope of the local community 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 His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, His Eminence Metropolitan Daniel of Accra 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. The local church wishes 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 Metropolitan for his blessed 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.
Source: orthodoxtimes.com
