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Thanksgiving Divine Liturgy at the Theological School of Kinshasatranslated

July 8, 2026 · 1 min read

On Monday, July 6, 2026, His Eminence the Metropolitan of Kinshasa Mr. Theodosios celebrated the High Priestly Divine Liturgy at the Kinshasa School of Theology of the Congolese Orthodox University "Saint Athanasios the Athonite". Every year, after receiving the degrees from the graduates of the school, Metropolitan Mr. Theodosios himself conducts a thanksgiving Divine Liturgy for the young theologians who then go to the provinces to undertake missionary activity.

Addressing the young Theologians, the metropolitan reminded the struggles and efforts of the Theological School for the training of each Theological student, as throughout their studies they are given the opportunity to get to know Orthodox theology in depth and in practice the liturgical life of the church and above all to experience the spiritual life of each Christian so that all of this can be used in their new struggle.

Therefore, the study of young Orthodox theologians at the Kinshasa School of Theology of the Orthodox University of the Congo "Saint Athanasius the Athonite" is not just a benefit for each student from the various French-speaking Metropolises he comes from but...

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Богдана Петрова

I am glad that every year the Bishop personally celebrates this Liturgy for the graduates. I especially liked that it emphasizes not only the theory, but also the practical liturgical and spiritual preparation - exactly what they need when they go to the dioceses. May God help them in their mission.

Katarina Simić

Every year, the bishop personally serves the Liturgy for these young theologians from Francophone dioceses - it is a very nice gesture. It's good that they don't just let them go with theory, but also teach them to live the Liturgy and the spiritual life, because they really need that when they go on a mission in the villages. May God give them strength.

Jovan Savić

I agree, Katarina. That bishop's personal visit every year shows that it really lies in their hearts, and not just a formality. It is interesting to me how long these young theologians stay in remote villages afterwards, because the mission there is not an easy job.

Тодор Кирилов

I agree, Bogdana, that Bishop Theodosius personally celebrates the Liturgy every year is a sign that he does not just send them with a piece of paper. Here in Sofia, we often talk about exactly this - that without real liturgical and spiritual preparation, the mission in the parishes becomes difficult. I'm interested, from which dioceses do these young people most often come?

Софья Новикова

It is good that Metropolitan Theodosius himself serves this Liturgy every year, and does not just bless it in words. Here in Voronezh it is also often repeated that textbooks alone cannot achieve mission in the villages—it is the living liturgical and spiritual leaven that is needed. I wonder how many of these graduates then stay in distant parishes of the Congo for a long time?

Полина Киселёва

I agree, Sophia, words are one thing, and another thing is when the bishop himself stands at the throne with these guys. In our circle they also often say that without real liturgical life in the African wilderness they will quickly burn out. But I wonder how many of them then marry locals and stay forever?

Radmila Ilić

I agree, Katarina. In our parish, we had one such young theologian who came from the Congo three years ago - he says that the same Liturgy that the bishop serves remained in his mind when he had to serve alone in small chapels without electricity. Interesting, do you know roughly how many graduate each year?

Петър Димитров

I agree with you, Bogdana, it is precisely this practical part with liturgies and spiritual life that gives them the strongest foundation. Last year, one of the graduates came to our parish for a short time and it was clear that he was not only with a book in his head. And what do you think, do they give them some training in Kinshasa for the repair of church installations, that there often everything is fixed on the spot?

Методи Атанасов

I agree, Todore, the bishop really doesn't let them go empty-handed. Here in Sofia, we also see that the boys who served regularly in the church during their studies, later manage more easily in the parishes. From which dioceses do they come most often? From what I read, most are from various francophone metropolises in the Congo, but there are also some from Central Africa. How long do you think they should spend in practical ministry before they are sent out on their own?

Христо Димитров

Petre, you are right, this practical liturgical part really hurts them. Last year, one from Kinshasa also came to us in Burgas - he helped us paint the altar after the rains and it was obvious that he was used to everything. And for the repair of the installations - I think they give them basic things, because there is often no one else to fix them. How did you hear about these sewing problems?

Milica Marković

I totally agree, Jovan. These young men often stay for 5-6 years in those villages without electricity and roads, and some even get married there. I would be interested to see if any of them write from anywhere about that experience, so we can see what it really looks like for them on the field.

Красимира Георгиева

Petre, that's right - the practical part with liturgies and spiritual life gives them the strongest foundation. Last year, and here in Ruse, one of the graduates helped to change the carpet in the altar after the flood, and it was obvious that he was used to working with his hands. And for the repair of the installations, do you think that only the basics are enough for them, or should they also have a local craftsman for the more complicated things?

Мариана Петкова

Petre, that's right - the practical part with liturgies and spiritual life gives them the strongest foundation. Last year, and here in Varna, one of the graduates helped to fix the roof of the chapel after the storm and it was clear that he was not afraid of anything. And for the repair of the installations - do they also teach them the basics of electricity, or do they rely more on the local craftsmen there?