Church of St. Joseph the Hesychast consecrated at Madagascar monastery

Toliara, Madagascar, June 16, 2021

Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr     

Construction on the Church of St. Joseph the Hesychast at Madagascar’s first male monastery was completed one year ago. And on Saturday, June 12, the church was consecrated by Bishop Prodromos of Toliara and South Madagascar

Bp. Prodromos himself had laid the foundation stone for the church, together with the then newly-formed brotherhood, in December 2019.

Every diocese needs two lungs to fully function—parishes and monasteries, Bp. Prodromos told Orthodoxia News Agency. Thus, it was decided to found the Monastery of St. Joseph the Hesychast, who was canonized by the Patriarchate of Constantinople in March last year.

Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr     

St. Joseph was chosen as the patron for the monastery because of his great importance for contemporary monasticism, Bp. Prodromos said.

“For us, St. Joseph the Hesychast, I think, for contemporary monasticism, is a new Anthony the Great, a Pachomius of our time. We know that his [spiritual] children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have become novices and monastics in a number of monasteries on Athos, and monasticism on Mt. Athos has experienced a new flowering; they have tasted the fruits of St. Joseph the Hesychast,” His Grace explained.

“I thought about, I thought about our work here, and about monasticism here, and I realized it would be good if it was with the blessing of St. Joseph the Hesychast,” he continued.

He also noted that they had plans to found a monastery in his honor before he was even canonized.

Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr     

There were about 80 people present at the consecration, the bishop said. Many people love the Church, and the young people love monasticism, so they wanted to personally experience this important event in the life of the new monastery.

The holy habitation will also be home to a missionary seminary, Bp. Prodromos noted.

“We must properly prepare new priests, who need to gain experience in life that they don’t have yet. In the monastery, action becomes experience. We, here in Madagascar, I confess before the Lord, have seen St. Joseph the Hesychast himself. And we have seen his presence in many ways,” the hierarch reflected.

Last August, a church was consecrated in honor of St. Joseph the Hesychast in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!

6/16/2021

Comments
Alexander Leitner6/17/2021 1:05 pm
I have written, that the Ethiopian Orthodox Churchbis not in Communion with the Orthodox Church but it is authentic african. The Patriarchate of Alexandria is more greek and not african. And as I have written they are modernised wuth pews, no hair cover...and their Patriarch is a schismatic now who celebrates with schismatics
Basil6/17/2021 4:59 am
Alexander, the Ethiopian church is not Orthodox, but heretical. The Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria is authentically African, and has been since it was founded by Saint Mark.
Alexander Leitner6/16/2021 10:29 pm
They bring a very modernised Form of Orthodoxy to these people. And there are orthodox churches in Africa. The Ethopian Orthodox Church for example. (not in communion with the Orthodox Churches) but ot is an authentic african eastern church.
Here you can leave your comment on the present article, not exceeding 4000 characters. All comments will be read by the editors of OrthoChristian.Com.
Enter through FaceBook
Your name:
Your e-mail:
Enter the digits, seen on picture:

Characters remaining: 4000

Subscribe
to our mailing list

* indicates required
×