Head of Orthodox Church commends Ghana

Casmel Ibrahim , 27/06/2008

The Supreme Head of the Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Theodoros II has praised Ghana, describing it as a "luminary example of good governance and prospect in Africa" adding that it is a "continent of the future".

Clad in his official black robe and a huge medallion around his neck, the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria said this a news conference in Accra.

The Supreme Head expressed profound delight on his maiden visit to Ghana as part of the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the establishment of the Orthodox Church of Ghana.

According to him, the aim of establishing the Orthodox Church 2000 years ago is not only to seek spiritual welfare, but also to provide equal importance to political, social and humanitarian advancement to the world.

His Beatitude Theodoros II commended the local heads of the Orthodox Church in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria for the tremendous work done to bring meaning and an appreciable level of integrity to the Orthodox Church.

His visit to Ghana is part of his duty as Ambassador and will preside over all activities which entail a courtesy call on President J.A. Kufuor at the Castle, Osu, the inauguration of a classroom block and separate encounters with the Chiefs and people of Tema Newtown and Larteh Akuapem.

Orthodox heads from Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Ghana explaining the Orthodox faith, said their understanding of prophecy was not predicting the future, but challenging it, adding that the perception of some religious institutions and persons on prosperity is a total aberration of the real dictates of the gospel.

"Our understanding of prosperity is the upliftment and transformation of new life. The Orthodox Church has been called to present the light of the world not to follow the light," they said.

"Non pursuance of this gives room for leaders to say what they want to say and for Christians to hear only what they want hear," they added.

The Orthodox Church in Ghana was born out of the old African Universal Orthodox Catholic Church in 1982. It has thirty-five communities in Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central, Eastern and Volta regions under the pastoral care of 23 Ghanaian orthodox priests.

His Beatitude Theodoros II is the direct successor of the holy apostle and the Evangelist Mark, who established the church in Alexandria 64years after the death of Jesus Christ.

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