On Saturday, His Grace Bishop Chrysostom of Bukoba and Western Tanzania (Patriarchate of Alexandria) emphasized the continued relevance of the apostolic mission, stating, “The paths of Saint Andrew the Apostle must be travelled again today.”
The bishop celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Chapel of the National Cathedral in Bucharest alongside His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia.
“Saint Andrew the Apostle demonstrates how simple yet powerful Christ’s calling is and how promptly it is answered,” Bishop Chrysostom said in his homily.
“After Pentecost, empowered by the Holy Spirit, Saint Andrew preached the Gospel of Christ, spreading the Christian faith to various peoples, including this beloved land of Romania,” he continued.
“For Saint Andrew, the world existed only to be filled with the light of Christ and the triumphant powers of holiness. Today, the Lord guides us through His Church. We must seek Him and bring our brothers and sisters onto the right path.”
The Apostolic Mission Continues Today
“We are the Church founded by Christ. We belong to the Church preached by the Apostles. This Church continues their work today through its mission in parishes, monasteries, and through the dedication of bishops, priests, deacons, monks, and Orthodox Christians,” the bishop noted.
He added that, through its missionary efforts, the Church guides, teaches, and sanctifies its members while driving progress and civilization.
“In Romania, the Orthodox Church has been a mother to the Romanian people, supporting them in difficult moments throughout history and leading them to a better future.”
Beyond its role within predominantly Christian countries, Orthodox Churches also care for those in regions where the faith must be preached, such as Africa and Asia.
“We are deeply grateful to the Romanian Orthodox Church for supporting our Metropolis of Burundi and Rwanda. With your help, we have built churches, baptized Christians, and brought the light of Christ to a dark continent where people face immense hardship,” Bishop Chrysostom shared.
“On behalf of our African brethren, we ask you to continue supporting our missionary work. Honour to Saint Andrew the Apostle and the Romanian Orthodox Church, which continues his mission here and in Africa,” he concluded.
Call for Charity and Missionary Spirit
Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia reflected on the spiritual significance of the occasion: “We are glad to have served together today in this chapel, which holds a relic of St. John Chrysostom, the spiritual patron of His Grace.”
“Tanzania is a country of exceptional natural beauty, renowned worldwide for its safaris and jungles. Yet, it remains impoverished, with most of its population engaged in agriculture and limited access to education and healthcare. Despite these challenges, the Orthodox mission thrives there, supported by the dedication and generosity of Orthodox believers from Greece, Romania, and beyond,” he noted.
“May Saint Andrew the Apostle inspire us to be missionaries in our own lives, heeding Christ’s call to discipleship and helping others through charity and good deeds, revealing Christ to them for the glory of God and the salvation of our souls.”
After the service, Bishop Paisie extended blessings to those celebrating their name day. The two bishops exchanged gifts: Bishop Paisie offered an icon of Saint Andrew, while Bishop Chrysostom presented coffee, tea, and other items from Africa.
About Bishop Chrysostom
Born in Greece, Bishop Hrisostom studied theology at the University of Athens (1977–1981) and entered monastic life on Mount Athos at the New Skete of Saint Paul Monastery. From 2009 to 2020, he served as a missionary in Congo, Africa. In 2020, he was elected Bishop of Bukoba and Western Tanzania, where his diocese focuses on preaching the Gospel and providing material aid and medical assistance to the region.
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