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Kigoma: First Holy Mass where freedom and the Christianization of Africans begantranslated

July 20, 2026 · 1 min read

The first Divine Liturgy in Kigoma, Western Tanzania was celebrated by Theof. Bishop Chrysostomos on Sunday July 19 with the presence of the first Christians of the region, which is located on the Eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, has 8 prefectures and is located on the border with the Congo and has an area of 37,400 km and a population of 2,127,930. This is the result of a systematic Mission that began a year ago by the zealous missionary Fr. Lazaros Zakayo and the catechist Josias. There are believers and catechists in the capital and in 7 towns in Kigoma District.

Collaborators in this Mission are the monks and nuns of the Katavi Holy Trinity Monastery, who come from Kigoma. A hall was rented and the faithful were brought in by bus from the province.

The High Priestly Commissioner, Rev. Theodoros Kayungi, the vicar Rev. Lazaros Zakayo, and the deacons Gervasios and Augustinos. Then there was a meeting of all believers and the consolidation of Orthodoxy in Kigoma, the better organization of the Church and the more systematic Mission were discussed. A Committee of 7 members was elected and the program of the Liturgies was drawn up and the...

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Светлана Андреева

I am glad that the first liturgies are already taking place in Kigoma near Lake Tanganyika. I wonder how the hall is - how many people could fit in when everyone was brought by bus from seven towns? Thanks to Father Lazarus Zacchaio for starting this work just a year ago.

Елена Белова

I’m glad too, Svetlana, that things went quickly. The hall was probably small, since everyone from seven towns was transported by bus - I wonder how many eventually gathered for the first service. Father Lazar is a great guy, he accomplished so much in a year.

Марина Волкова

I'm happy for them too, Svetlana. I wonder exactly how many people came on that bus - probably no more than thirty or forty, since they rented a hall and not a church. Father Lazar Zakayo, apparently, immediately got down to business for real, since the bishop had already arrived. What do you think, will they quickly gather their community there?

Владимир Попов

I am glad that the first services have already started in Kigoma. The hall was probably a bit cramped - everyone was transported from seven towns by bus, and, apparently, there were not many people there yet. Father Lazar Zakkhayo raised so much in a year, well done. Do you think they will soon build their church there?

Марина Богданова

I am glad that the first services in Kigoma are already underway. Yes, the hall was probably a bit cramped, especially when we were transported from seven towns by bus. Father Lazar Zakkhayo really did a lot in a year, but the church, I think, will not be done any time soon - first a committee of seven people needs to work and establish a program of services. What do you think is the best place for them to start construction?

Екатерина Попова

I agree, Marina, Father Lazar Zacchaio really accomplished a lot with the catechists over the course of the year. Seven people on the committee is correct, let them first figure out the schedule of services and where to gather people regularly. And I think it’s better to start the construction of the church with a plot of land for it - without your own land it will be more difficult later. What would be the first thing you would do?

Виктор Киселёв

Happy for them, Vladimir. Father Lazar really got things done quickly, especially with these monks from Katavi, who are local. The church, I think, not earlier than in a couple of years - first let a committee of seven people figure out where to get the land and how to raise money. What do you think, should we build on the shores of Tanganyika or in Kigoma itself?

Ольга Лебедева

I agree, Victor, Father Lazar and the Catavian monks are great - the locals still know better how to gather people. A committee of seven people will definitely look at the land first, and only then the church. Where would you prefer the site - closer to the lake or still in Kigoma itself, where there are more people?