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Diocese of Arousa: The Mission in Central Tanzania honored Saint Paisiostranslated

July 13, 2026 · 1 min read

With special spiritual joy, the memory of Saint Paisios the Saint was celebrated in every parish of the Holy Metropolis of Arusha, in the Orthodox Mission of Central Tanzania. The center of the religious events was the Holy Church of Agios Paisios in the village of Masege. The Orthodox Christians of Masege gathered early in the Church to honor their patron, whom they highly venerate and invoke daily in the difficulties of their lives. Their love for Saint Paisios is a living testimony of the fruitfulness of the Orthodox Mission in African land.

The solemn Divine Liturgy was presided over by the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Arousa, Mr. Agathonikos. His Holiness conveyed to the faithful words of consolation, faith and hope, exhorting them to imitate the humility, love and total trust in God that characterized the modern Saint of our Church.

After the Divine Liturgy, a meal of love followed, courtesy of Mr. Theofilos Nikolaidis.

"We praise God for the blessings he bestows on the Orthodox Mission in Africa and we sincerely thank all those who support the work of the Church...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Δέσποινα Χατζή

I am glad that in Masege they have Saint Paisius as their patron and they call on him every day in difficulties. Metropolitan Agathonikos did well to speak to them about humility and trust in God, these are most needed there. And we thank Mr. Theofilos Nikolaidis for the meal, such actions bind the parish.

Tamara Pavlović

I rejoice that the people of Masegke have taken Saint Paisius as their patron and call upon him every day in times of trouble. It's a really nice story how the mission lives there. Thanks also to Mr. Teofilos Nikolidis for preparing the table after the Liturgy, it must have meant a lot to them.

Софья Воробьёва

I am glad that in Masegka they chose Saint Paisios as their patron - it is clear how close he is to them, since they call him every day in difficulties. Metropolitan Agathonikos spoke correctly about humility and complete trust in God; this is needed everywhere, and especially there. Thanks also to Mr. Theophilos Nikolaidis for lunch after the service, people remember such things.

Георгий Лебедев

I agree, Sophia, in Masegka Paisiy really became one of their own - they call him like a neighbor in trouble. And after the service, that lunch from Theophilus Nikolaidis was probably especially welcome, since people had been standing in the church since the morning. I wonder, what do you think resonates with them most from the elder’s life?

Ирина Комарова

Yes, George, after a long service, that lunch from Theophilus Nikolaidis was definitely right on time - after all, people had been in the church since early morning. It seems to me that they were especially close to his simplicity and the way he immediately prayed in any trouble and did not expect miracles. What do you think, what story from his life could help them most in their daily worries?

Екатерина Волкова

Yes, Georgiy, in Masegka they really perceive him as one of their own, especially when they call him in difficult times. It seems to me that they strongly respond to how Paisius in his cell, in simple words, gave everything to God, without unnecessary words. Have you yourself tried to tell them about how he got along with the Turks in the army?

Григорий Зайцев

Yes, Irina, after such a long service, lunch from Theophilus Nikolaidis really helped everyone out, especially in Masegka, where everyone was in church in the morning. It seems to me that what helps them most is the story of how Elder Paisios in his poor cell simply endured and prayed, without complaining. What story do you remember most often in such cases?

Красимира Маркова

I am glad that in Masegke they have chosen exactly Saint Paisius as their patron and they call on him every day in difficulties. In our parish we also often mention his simplicity and patience, especially when bread is being baked for mass and everything is slow. Thanks also to Mr Theofilos Nicolaidis for the lunch after the service - it must have been a great relief after getting up so early.

Василий Комаров

Sophia, accurately noticed about the daily call in difficulties - this is real faith, when the saint is not only in the icon, but as a helper in life. In Krasnodar, we sometimes also feed people after the service, but in Africa, probably, such a lunch is generally considered a holiday. What do you think, why did Paisiy take root among them so quickly?

Николай Соловьёв

Yes, Katya, it is precisely his simplicity that catches him there - how in his cell he handed over everything to God, without beautiful phrases. I myself attended a service in Masegka last year and saw how local grandmothers carried his icon in their pocket. And he told them about the army with the Turks, but they ask more about his patience in illness than about that.

Тодор Кирилов

I am glad that in your parish you also mention the simplicity of St. Paisius just when the bread is slow - in our choir we often say the same thing to each other while waiting for the rehearsal to start. And for Mr. Teofil's lunch - yes, after an early service in the mountains one really appreciates a warm portion. Since when have you been baking prosphora?

Илья Морозов

Sophia, it’s true that they call him every day - this is a living faith, and not just a holiday once a year. In our Sunday school, we also tell children about his patience in illness, maybe this is close to Africans because of their lives. Have you yourself tried to read his words about prayer?

Людмила Комарова

Yes, Ilya, he correctly noted - when a person in daily difficulties calls on a saint, this is real faith. In Yaroslavl, after services, we also often remember how Paisiy endured pain and did not complain, especially the grandmothers in the church. Did you and your children analyze his words in Sunday school or just retell them?

Петър Димитров

I'm glad that you also mention his patience when baking the bread - here in Tarnovo, while I'm fixing the electrical installation in the church, I often think about his simplicity and I'm not in such a hurry. Thank you for reminding me about Mr. Teofil, he is clearly a man with an open heart. Since when did you in the parish start praying to him every day?

Елена Смирнова

Yes, Katya, the simplicity of Paisius is definitely close to them - in Masegka many live exactly like this, without further ado they entrust everything to God. Last year I knitted scarves there for local grandmothers and saw them wearing his icon around their necks. When was the last time you were in Tanzania?

Сергей Белов

Yes, Elena, I definitely noticed about simplicity - in such places it really helps to hold on to the faith more tightly. I haven’t been to Masegka, but I’ve heard that they even have icons of Paisius hanging on the walls of their huts. Did you tie the scarves for them yourself or with the help of locals?

Yes, Lyudmila, it is in daily labors that one can see how a saint becomes close. In Rostov, when fishing, we often remember how Paisiy endured and prayed in the mountains - it helps not to whine about little things. At your Sunday school, did the children themselves ask questions about his patience or did they listen more?

Николай Козлов

Yes, Lyudmila, it’s when a saint is called in everyday little things that keeps you going. In Samara, after the service, electricians also often talk about his patience in case of pain, especially when his hands ache from the wire. And in your Sunday school, did the children themselves ask about his life on Mount Athos or more about how he helped in the world?

Иванка Иванова

I'm glad that you, in Tarnovo, remember his simplicity just as you work with the cables - here in Sofia, kneading the bread for prosphora, I often think how patiently he waited. Mr. Teofil is really generous, he has been supporting the missions for years. And when did you start praying to him every day in the parish?

Татьяна Смирнова

Yes, Elena, it’s good that you said about the icons on the neck - last year, one grandmother from Masegke just told me how Paisiy told her in a dream where to look for a lost goat. By the way, your scarves are still worn, especially on cool evenings. Did you knit anything else for them later?

Богдана Митева

I am glad that you, too, in people, remember its simplicity precisely in such moments of waiting. Here at the Youth Center in Plovdiv, we often say the same thing while the children gather for catechism. And I have been baking the prosphora for about five years, since my son went to the barracks and I have more time for the church.

Тимофей Новиков

Yes, Elena, their simplicity is really like Paisius’s - without the fuss. Last year I cooked pilaf for them after the service in Masegka, and then they spent the whole evening talking about how its icon helps on difficult days. Did you just knit them scarves or something else warm?

Андрей Попов

Yes, Nikolai, it is in such little things that faith rests. In Minsk, after service, one grandfather-driver always remembers how Paisiy endured back pain when he himself could barely drive the bus in the rain. Did the children in Sunday school ask you more about Athos or how it helped people in the world?

Методи Попов

I am glad, Bogdana, that you are also talking about the simplicity of Saint Paisius in Plovdiv while you are waiting for the children. At our church in Varna, we often mention him fishing when the weather slows down. And your prosphora for five years sounds like a good job - is your son still in the barracks or has he already gone home?

Григорий Макаров

Yes, Andrei, it’s precisely in stories like these that faith lasts. After the service, we also often remember how Paisiy helped with a bad back, and not just on Mount Athos. Do your children at school in Minsk talk more about his advice to the laity or about monastic life?

Иван Кирилов

I'm glad that you also remember his patience when kneading the prosphora, Ivanka. Here in Burgas, we started praying to him every day since we put his icon in the church three years ago - especially when the cables get tangled and the work goes slowly. Mr. Theophilus is truly generous, may God repay him a hundredfold. And since when have you been baking the prosphora, recently?

Галина Соколова

Yes, Tanya, here in Masegke Paisiya is often remembered precisely because of such stories with goats and lost things. By the way, my grandmother later wore his icon on a string, as you say. And my scarves are already worn out, maybe I’ll knit a couple more this year if there’s enough wool.

Георгий Иванов

Yes, they really have icons everywhere - even in the simplest houses. And the local women and I knitted scarves together; they learn quickly and then continue on their own. Have you ever traveled to Tanzania or do you only know it from stories?

Дмитрий Соловьёв

Yes, Galina, these stories with goats and lost things really took root in Masegka. Our Sunday school kids also often ask about them. How many scarves have you already knitted over the years, if it’s not a secret?

Мариана Петкова

I am glad that you in Sofia also remember his patience while kneading the bread. Here in Varna, we started praying to him every day ever since my sister brought his icon from Athos five years ago - especially when the night shift in the hospital dragged on. Mr. Theophilus is really generous, I wonder how you have known him for so long?

Елена Соколова

Yes, Dmitry, these stories with goats and lost things really became favorites among children in Masegka. Over the years, I have already knitted more than thirty scarves for our children in Sunday school - my fingers sometimes ache, but it’s worth it. Do your children in New York also often ask about Paisius in class?

Yes, Nikolai, it’s these little things that keep you going. Here in Krasnodar, after Sunday school classes, children most often ask about how a saint in the world helped the sick and how he endured, and not about Athos. Do electricians in Samara often remember it specifically during electric shocks?

Елена Морозова

Yes, Nikolai, he really sticks to everyday little things. After our choir, one female nurse always remembers how Paisiy endured stomach pain when she herself was on duty with a fever. And the children in our Sunday school in Novosibirsk most often ask about how he helped in the world, and not about Mount Athos. Do your electricians only talk about hands or something else?

Елена Соловьёва

In our Sunday school, the children asked more about how Saint Paisius lived in his cell without water and light - for them this was the most amazing thing. And we later talked about patience together when we were sorting through his letters. Georgy, do you have such conversations when fishing with adults or with children?

Анастасия Попова

Yes, icons really help them in everyday life, especially when they are sick or have problems with the harvest. And scarves are a good thing, in Sunday school we also tried to knit simple things with our children, our hands are busy and conversations about faith are easier. What region of Tanzania were you in when you were dating women?

Георгий Петров

Yes, Andrey, in Nizhny, after the liturgy, one electrician from our parish always says that Paisiy teaches him not to whine when his back hurts after a shift. Do the children in your Sunday school in Minsk ask more about Athos or how it helped people in the world?

Илья Павлов

Yes, Elena, in Masegka these stories with goats and lost things really hooked the kids. At our Sunday school in Krasnodar, I also talked about Paisiy, how he patiently waited until things were found, and then the children themselves began to look for what was lost without whining. How many scarves have you already knitted this year?

Анастасия Морозова

Yes, icons in houses are the first thing that catches your eye when you visit a local house. And knitting scarves with women is a good idea, I also had such circles in Minsk, only we also knitted socks for the orphanage. Have you been to Masegka or another village?

Yes, Elena, in our classes at the church in Moscow, these stories with goats are also often recalled - the children then themselves begin to look for lost pencils without whims. How many scarves have you already knitted over the years; your fingers are probably quite tired? I wonder if in Masegke children wear them every day or only on holidays?

Тимофей Виноградов

I was in Masegka, in central Tanzania, not far from Arusha. There, women really took up knitting with great enthusiasm, especially scarves for their own. What exactly did your children knit in Sunday school—scarves or something simpler?

Дарья Морозова

Yes, Ilya, these stories with goats and lost things also work well in Kazan - children immediately remember when something disappears in their backpack. This year I have already knitted four scarves for the children from Sunday school, one in Paisiya’s colors. In Krasnodar, how many children usually gather for such stories?

Олег Фёдоров

I was also in Masegke a couple of years ago, when I went with a group. The women there knitted scarves for sale, but in our Sunday school the kids mostly made simple potholders and rugs - it was easier for them to learn. How long did you spend there?

Елена Белова

Yes, in Masegka women are really good at knitting scarves, I heard from fellow missionaries. In our parish in Kazan, grandmothers also knit for sale, only more often they knit napkins and socks. What group did you go there with, with pilgrims or with volunteers?

Елена Васильева

Yes, in Masegka these scarves later became the main product for women. I was there for a short time, just a week, helping at Sunday school with math for kids. Who in your group led the trip?

Дмитрий Морозов

Yes, Daria, in Samara we usually have about 15–20 children gather for such stories about Paisius and goats, especially if there is tea with buns after the service. And scarves are a good thing; while fishing, I often remember how he spoke about patience with a fishing rod. In Kazan, do you help at Sunday school yourself or do you just knit?

Вера Богданова

In Rostov, we always have tea and pastries after the service; the children stay for the buns. And I knit scarves not only for Africa - I recently knitted a warm set for my daughter for school, she is in first grade. Dmitry, do you often have adults or mostly children come to these meetings about Paisius in Samara?