The son of the first Orthodox Tanzanian clergyman was ordained a Hierodeacon

On Tuesday, 28 November 2023, at the Patriarchal and Stavropegic Vlatadon Monastery in Thessaloniki, the tonsure of Monk Parthenios Kiyonga took place by the hands of His Grace Bishop Agathonikos of Arusha and Central Tanzania. Father Parthenios comes from Tanzania and is the youngest son of the Late Father Sosthenes Kiyonga, who was the first Orthodox Tanzanian clergyman of our Church. The newly tonsured monk Father Parthenios received this monastic name following the order and blessing of His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and all Africa, in honour of the Late Patriarch Parthenios.

On Thursday, 30 November 2023, at the Holy Church of Saint Andrew, Metochion of the Vlatadon Monastery in Thessaloniki, the ordination to the diaconate of Monk Parthenios took place, being conducted by His Grace Bishop Nikiforos of Amorion, Abbot of the Historical Vlatadon Monastery. In an atmosphere of deep emotion, His Grace Bishop Agathonikos of Arusha shared some thoughts and appropriately advised the newly ordained deacon, who, after completing his studies at the Theological School of Thessaloniki, will return to Tanzania, where he will serve in the Holy Diocese of Arusha and Central Tanzania, in which his older brother, father Anastasios, also ministers.

Father Parthenios’ friends, fellow students and professors were present at the monastic tonsure and the ordination to the diaconate. Father Parthenios is known as a very charismatic young man, with a love for the Church, sacred services, Byzantine music, and the Orthodox liturgical tradition.

Source: ierapostolikistegi.gr