Kenya: Enthronement of the First Metropolitan of Eldoret
The blessed pastoral journey of His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria and All Africa in Kenya was brought to a conclusion on the Sunday of Pentecost, 31 May, with the celebration of the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Holy Glorious Apostle and Evangelist Mark in Kapsabet, within the Holy Metropolis of Eldoret and Northern Kenya, where the Birthday of the Church, the great Feast of Pentecost, was celebrated with particular splendour.
Concelebrating with His Beatitude were His Eminence Elder Archbishop Makarios of Kenya, His Eminence Metropolitan Neophytos of Eldoret and Northern Kenya, and Their Graces Bishop Sylvester of Jinja and Eastern Uganda and Bishop Philippos of Kisumu and Western Kenya.
Participating in the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy was a host of clergy from the Holy Metropolis of Eldoret and the other ecclesiastical provinces of Kenya, together with a large gathering of faithful from the surrounding regions, who came to receive the Patriarchal blessing and to participate in the great feast of the Church.
Present were the representative of the Governor of Nandi County, representatives of local authorities, institutions, and organisations, who respectfully expressed their appreciation for the Ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria and its multifaceted ministry in Kenya and throughout Africa.
During the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude ordained Subdeacon Julius Kipyego Bett to the diaconate, giving him the name Parthenios in eternal remembrance of the late Patriarch Parthenios III of Alexandria, the spiritual father and blessed predecessor of His Beatitude, on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of his falling asleep in the Lord (1996–2026).
At the same time, he elevated Economos Fr Kyrillos to the rank of Protopresbyter of the Holy Metropolis of Eldoret and Northern Kenya, in recognition of his dedication, sacrificial ministry, and service to the local Church.
The high point of this blessed gathering was the enthronement of the first Metropolitan of Eldoret and Northern Kenya, His Eminence Neophytos, which took place immediately after the Vespers of Kneeling and was performed by the Alexandrian Primate himself.
It is recalled that during the proceedings of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa on 7 October 2025, under the presidency of His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, it was decided to elevate the Holy Diocese of Eldoret and Northern Kenya to the status of a Metropolis of the Throne of Alexandria, recognising the remarkable growth of the Orthodox Church in the region and the increasing pastoral and missionary needs of the people of God.
In his address, His Beatitude warmly congratulated the first Metropolitan of Eldoret, His Eminence Neophytos, for the significant work he is already carrying out in the newly established Metropolis, emphasising that the elevation of the ecclesiastical province is the fruit of many years of sacrifice, unceasing missionary labour, and the living faith of the blessed people of Kenya.
At the same time, he encouraged him to continue his ministry to the clergy and faithful with the same zeal, invoking Divine Grace and the illumination of the Holy Spirit, so that the Metropolis of Eldoret may become an even stronger beacon of Orthodoxy, education, philanthropy, and hope for the entire region.
Concluding, His Beatitude thanked the local authorities for their cooperation and continued support of the Church’s work, and prayed that peace, prosperity, and God’s blessing would always accompany the noble people of Kenya.
For his part, Metropolitan Neophytos, deeply moved, expressed his filial gratitude to His Beatitude, stressing that it was the greatest blessing of his life to have been enthroned by the Patriarch of Alexandria himself.
He spoke emotionally about the course of his life and ministry, thanking God for His providence and infinite mercy, which had led him to this historic moment of responsibility and service to the Church.
He expressed special gratitude to His Eminence Elder Archbishop Makarios of Kenya, for his paternal guidance and support throughout the years, and to His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Zimbabwe and Angola, whom he described as a great benefactor during his years of study and throughout his priestly ministry.
With particular emotion, he also referred to his ninety-six-year-old mother, who through her unceasing prayers, sacrifices, faith, and maternal love had been his support and strength at every stage of his life. He emphasised that a mother is the first teacher of the faith and that his own path to the priesthood and episcopacy is inseparably linked to her prayers and example.
Concluding his remarks, he thanked the clergy of the Metropolis for their cooperation and dedication to the work of the Church, calling upon all to intensify their spiritual struggle so that the Orthodox witness in Kenya may continue to bear fruit to the glory of God and the salvation of humanity.
With the enthronement of the first Metropolitan of Eldoret and Northern Kenya, another historic pastoral visit of the Patriarch of Love, Theodoros, to the African continent came to an end. During the days of his visit, the Alexandrian Primate travelled hundreds of kilometres through the remotest regions of Kenya, inaugurating missionary centres, blessing new churches, ordaining clergy, strengthening the faithful, and bringing everywhere the message of the Resurrection, hope, and love.
Departing from the blessed land of Kenya, His Beatitude left behind an indelible witness to the presence of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in Africa, confirming that the Orthodox Church continues to move forward dynamically, carrying the message of the Gospel to the ends of the African continent and building daily bridges of faith, hope, and love among peoples.
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