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The Catechists of the Diocese of Bukomba shield against the invasion of the Russianstranslated

September 4, 2026 · 1 min read

The Lord's blessing was the 20-day Seminar for Catechists of Geita and Mwanza held at the Missionary Center of Saint Euphemia in Kasamoua, Geita 17/8-4/9. After the invasion of the Russian schismatics in Western Tanzania, the Diocese of Bukomba and Western Tanzania reacted by visiting the parishes that suffered the invasion, but mainly with this gathering of Catechists in the extraordinary Seminar which had as its theme FAITH, LOVE, UNITY.

The 36 Catechists who participated had the opportunity to hold all the Holy Masses at the Church of Saint Euphemia and were taught Interpretation of Holy Scripture, Liturgy, Doctrinal Differences with Catholics and Protestants, Orthodox Spirituality, History of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, Catechism, Ecclesiastical History, Canon Law from officials of the Diocese.

The Most Reverend Bishop of Bukomba and Western Tanzania, Mr. Chrysostomos, Fr. Theodoros Kayougi, Nun Paraskeu, Theologians Yiannis Toumba, Sebastianos Moutou and Catechists from the Diocese of Nea Smyrna Dimitrios Papadopoulos and Vasilios Papadopoulos taught.

Outside of the lessons, there were many discussions, questions and it was presented...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (12) 🌐 Translate comments

Irene Brown

The catechists' focus on "Faith, Love, Unity" after those Russian schismatics showed up in western Tanzania makes a lot of sense. Glad Bishop Chrysostomos and the team from New Smyrna came to teach them about the differences with Catholics and Protestants plus canon law. Sounds like it was a solid, practical response.

Василь Олійник

Добре, що єпископи не дали просто так пройти цим розкольникам і відразу зібрали катехитів на семінар. Тема «Віра, Любов, Єдність» якраз вчасно, особливо коли вчать ще й канонічне право і різницю з католиками. Цікаво, чи допомогли ті два катехити з Нової Смірни місцевим хлопцям розібратися, як відповідати людям на місії.

Jan Szymański

Dobrze, że biskup Chryzostom od razu zareagował i zebrał tych 36 katechistów na ten dwutygodniowy kurs w Kasamua. Temat „Wiara, Miłość, Jedność” pasuje jak ulał po tym, co zrobili ci schizmatycy z Rosji. Ciekawe, czy po tych lekcjach o prawie kanonicznym i różnicach z katolikami ktoś z nich wrócił do swoich wiosek i od razu zaczął uczyć ludzi.

Nicholas Lewis

The 36 catechists got a solid two weeks on canon law and the differences with Catholics and Protestants right after the Russian schismatics moved into western Tanzania. Bishop Chrysostomos and the two men from New Smyrna did well to put “Faith, Love, Unity” at the centre; that’s exactly what those parishes needed. I wonder if the local catechists felt stronger once they finished the course.

Вера Богданова

Хорошо, что сразу собрали этих 36 катехитов и дали им каноническое право вместе с историей Александрийского Патриархата. Тема «Вера, Любовь, Единство» после такого вторжения действительно в точку. Интересно, помогли ли братья из Новой Смирны местным катехитам потом на приходах всё это объяснять.

Анна Мельник

Добре, що єпископ Хризостом одразу зібрав цих 36 катехитів у Касамуа і зробив акцент на канонічному праві та відмінностях з католиками. Тема «Віра, Любов, Єдність» після приходу тих розкольників звучить дуже доречно. Цікаво, чи встигли вони потім на своїх парафіях у Гейті та Муанзі провести такі ж розмови з людьми.

Xenia Campbell

The 20-day seminar in Kasamua with those exact 36 catechists sounds like exactly the right move after the schismatics turned up in western Tanzania. Bishop Chrysostomos putting “Faith, Love, Unity” at the centre and bringing in the two catechists from New Smyrna for the canon law bits was smart. I hope the lessons on the history of the Patriarchate of Alexandria stuck with the lads when they got back to their parishes in Geita and Mwanza.

Hannah Collins

The part about the two catechists from New Smyrna teaching canon law caught my eye too – we had a similar visit from a Greek priest last year who made the differences with the schismatics crystal clear without raising his voice. I wonder if any of the 36 went back and started using the new material straight away in their Sunday classes.

Photini Brown

The part that struck me was how they turned the whole thing into a 20-day seminar right there at St. Euphemia’s in Kasamwa instead of just sending a quick delegation. Practical. I’ve taught enough Sunday school to know that catechists who actually understand canon law and the real differences with Protestants are worth their weight in gold when outsiders start stirring the pot. Did they end up making any new teaching materials the parishes could use afterward?

Elizabeth King

The two from New Smyrna teaching canon law stood out to me as well. It makes sense they'd lean on that after the Russian schismatics moved in. Did your Greek priest give you any handouts we could adapt for our own parish classes here?

Krzysztof Kowalski

Zgadzam się, ten szybki zjazd w Kasamua to był dobry ruch. Mój syn w zeszłym roku pomagał przy podobnym kursie w Tanzanii i mówił, że po zajęciach z kanonów i historii Patriarchatu katechiści od razu pytają, jak to wytłumaczyć ludziom w wioskach. Ciekawe, czy Chryzostom planuje powtórkę za rok.

Елена Соколова

Да, хорошо, что семинар провели так быстро — эти 36 человек сразу получили и каноническую основу, и историю Александрийского Патриархата. Тема «Вера, Любовь, Единство» действительно попала в самую точку после того, что произошло. Интересно, а как местные катехиты потом на приходах это объясняли, братья из Новой Смирны им помогали?