Kamapala, Uganda, September 22, 2021
Photo: orthodoxtimes.com
His Eminence Metropolitan Jonah of Kampala and All Uganda reposed in the Lord in an Athens hospital at the age of 76 on September 6, having suffered a heart attack following a long battle in cancer. A few days later, the state announced that it would give the hierarch an official state funeral as a “national hero.”
His body returned to Uganda on Saturday, and on Monday, he was laid to rest at St. Nicholas Cathedral in the Namungonna neighborhood of Kampala with the participation of both Church and state officials. His coffin was covered both with the flag of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and the blue and white flag of Uganda, reports the Orthodoxia News Agency.
Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr
The service was led by Metropolitan Makarios of Nairobi, the Locum Tenens of the Kampala Diocese, with Archbishop Ieronymos of Mwanza and Tanzania and Bishop Sylvester of Gulu and Eastern Uganda. The funeral was held at the state’s expense, and His Eminence was honored with a three-gun salute.
The body of the Metropolitan was buried next to his predecessor, Metropolitan Theodoros.
Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr
A large number of believers have flocked to bid farewell to their beloved hierarch since his body returned to the country.
Watch the speeches in honor of Met. Jonah and his burial:
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The Patriarchate provides a brief bio:
The Late Blessed Elder Metropolitan Jonah of Uganda, Most Honoured and Exarch of Uganda, was born in 1945 in DDEGEYA. He completed his schooling in BULEMEZI and KYADDONDO in Uganda (1952-1964). He studied at the Ecclesiastical School of Crete (1964-1968). He holds a degree from the Theological and Philosophical Faculty of the University of Athens (1968-1978). He was ordained Deacon in 1981 and Priest in 1982. On 27th July 1992 he was consecrated Bishop of Bukoba. On 12th May 1997 he was elected Metropolitan of Kampala and All Uganda.
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