ORDINATION OF A DEACON
On Sunday 24th September 2017, His Grace Panteleimon Bishop of Congo-Brazzaville and Gabon conducted the Divine Liturgy at the temporary Holy Cathedral of St Dimitrios in Pointe-Noire, during which he performed the ordination to Deacon of Reader Stehanos Andzembe.
Addressing the candidate to the Priesthood, the Bishop spoke of the importance and the enormous responsibility of ministry in the holy Sanctuary and to the Christian people in a spirit of sacrificial humility, love, dedication, obedience and prudence. He also gave paternal counsel to the new member of the clergy conveying to him also the love of His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, with whose blessing the ordination took place according to the ecclesiastical order of the ancient Patriarchal Throne of St Mark.
The new Deacon Fr. Stephanos Andzembe, 29 years old, married, a university graduate, will serve at the Holy Cathedral of St Dimitrios in Pointe-Noire, as well as in the office of the Holy Diocese.
Also, prior to the end of the Eucharistic gathering, His Grace consecrated to new Readers, and the Chairman of the Parish Council of the Church Mr. Chrysostom Celestin Ngaipio expressed their joy and the gratitude to their Shepherd on the ordination of the new Deacon and the general promotion of the local Church.
Present were representatives of the Church Councils of the Congo, representatives of city authorities and many faithful. This important event for the local Church of Congo-Brazzaville was covered by Tele-Congo, the state television, to whom the Bishop gave a brief interview.