THE FEAST OF ST LUKE THE DOCTOR, ARCHBISHOP OF CRIMEA IN POINTE-NOIRE

On Sunday 15th June 2014, the local Church of the Congo celebrated the memory of ST Luke the Doctor, Archbishop of Symferopolis and Crimea, in the chapel under construction of the same name, which is adjacent to the Holy Church of St Fotini, also under construction, in Pointe-Noire.

His Grace Panteleimon, Bishop of Congo-Brazzaville and Gabon, conducted the Divine Liturgy together with the Economos Fr. Lavrentios Mpinga, Parish Priest of the Holy Church of the Ascension of the Lord in Pointe- Noire and Rev. Fr. Silouan Nkounkou, Parish Priest of the Holy Church of St Fotini in Pointe-Noire.

On his arrival at the Church the Bishop brought with him a fragment of the relics of St Luke, which is kept at the Holy Diocese, so that the faithful could venerate and receive a blessing.

Preaching the homily His Grace spoke of the Theological meaning of holiness as the aim of Christian life, analysed the life of the saint being celebrated and called on the faithful to copy the example of the steadfast faith and spiritual struggle for purity and sanctification of all the Saints which the Orthodox Church honours on this Sunday.

Note is made that the Parish Community of the Ascension of the Lord participated in this Eucharistic gathering. An outdoor reception followed with traditional dances and songs.