PASTORAL VISIT TO DOLISIE

From 9th to 11th October 2013, His Grace Panteleimon Bishop of Brazzaville, undertook a pastoral visit to the city of Dolisie in the Congo, where the parish community of St Irene, is, as well as the “”Light of the World” schools (Primary, High and Lyceum), the St Efstathios Orphanage and the Holy Monastery of St John the Theologian which is currently under construction.

In the framework of the visit His Grace had a lengthy discussion with the Principal of the Schools, Mr. Jean Claude Tchilibou and the teaching staff on issues regarding the orderly, lawful and effective administration and operation of the schools, and the educational activity.

He also had a lengthy discussion with the Director of the Orthodox Orphanage Mrs. Dorothea Samba, as well as the Church Committee of the Parish Church of St Irene.

He also visited the construction site of the Monastery, was briefed by the legal representatives of the city regarding the progress of a legal case of the Church at the local courts (regarding securing church properties) and for this reason paid visits to responsible departments.

During the entire visit His Grace had the opportunity of daily contact with the young children being cared for at the Orphanage, to which he gave stationery and toys, talked with them, taught them about the Orthodox faith and kept them creatively busy.

Special mention is made of the cleansing of the around the Orphanage by the children themselves, who need to regard themselves as responsible for the maintenance of the cleanliness of the grounds they live on, through the organization of a special “basketball game” where the garbage bin became the target for the garbage, which the two “opposing teams” of children collected.