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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 (9) 🌐 Show original

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

It is good that the bishops did not just let these schismatics pass and immediately gathered catechists for a seminar. The topic "Faith, Love, Unity" is just in time, especially when they also teach canon law and the difference with Catholics. I wonder if those two New Smyrna catechists helped the local boys figure out how to respond to the people on the mission.

Jan Szymański

It is good that Bishop Chrysostom reacted immediately and gathered these 36 catechists for this two-week course in Kasamua. The theme "Faith, Love, Unity" fits like a glove after what those schismatics from Russia did. I wonder if, after these lessons about canon law and differences with Catholics, any of them returned to their villages and immediately started teaching people.

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

It is good that they immediately gathered these 36 catechites and gave them canon law along with the history of the Patriarchate of Alexandria. The theme “Faith, Love, Unity” after such an invasion really hits the spot. I wonder if the brothers from New Smyrna helped the local catechites later in the parishes to explain all this.

Анна Мельник

It is good that Bishop Chrysostom immediately gathered these 36 catechists in Kasamua and emphasized canon law and differences with Catholics. The theme "Faith, Love, Unity" sounds very appropriate after the arrival of those schismatics. I wonder if they had time to have the same conversations with people later in their parishes in Gate and Muang.

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?