His Grace Bishop Prodromos of Toliara and Southern Madagascar held a Memorial Service for the repose of the soul his late predecessor, Bishop Nektarios of Madagascar, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of his falling asleep in the Lord.
The late Hierarch of the Alexandrian Throne was on the fatal flight of the “Chinook” helicopter, which on 11 September 2004 crashed off the Mount Athos peninsula, resulting in the loss of 17 lives, among them the Patriarch of Alexandria, Petros VII.
The following is the relevant address of His Grace Bishop Prodromos of Toliara and Southern Madagascar:
“Twenty years have passed since the day Bishop Nektarios departed for eternity. He came from faraway Australia to a land where Orthodoxy was unknown, and in just a few years, he left an indelible mark on the lives of the people here. For the past five years, I have humbly served in the South of Madagascar, the place he loved with all his soul, and I am deeply moved by how people here continue to speak of him—with awe and love, as if time has not dimmed his memory.
Though two decades have passed, no one has forgotten him. His body was never recovered after the tragic helicopter crash at sea, but his soul continues to watch over Madagascar. His name lives on in the hearts of the people as a beacon of light. What keeps him alive is not just the churches, schools, or wells he built. It is the souls he nurtured, the lives he touched with his boundless love and humility. He was a true servant of God, gentle in speech, selfless in action, always ready to sacrifice for his spiritual children.
Even today, Bishop Nektarios embodies South Madagascar, the place he cherished. As we continue his mission, we pray to follow in his footsteps, with the same humility and dedication. We are all travellers in this life, and when we depart, our only lasting legacy will be the love we leave behind in the hearts of others. Just as the people of Madagascar speak of Bishop Nektarios with gratitude and affection, may they one day remember us in the same way. This is the true testament of our lives.”
