New Missionary Journey to Okinawa and Tokyo
On Friday, October 2, 2026, Metropolitan Ambrosios of Korea and Exarch of Japan, accompanied by Deacon Christopher Jonker, flew to the island of Okinawa.
Their first stop was the Chapel of St. Nicholas, located on the U.S. base Camp Foster. There, with the Metropolitan presiding, the military chaplain Fr. Andrew Kearns and Deacon Christopher served Vespers. In his homily the Metropolitan spoke on the great subject of prayer. At the agape dinner that followed, the Metropolitan and the Deacon had the opportunity to speak with everyone present, and especially with the catechumens, with whom they discussed matters relating to their preparation for baptism.
The next day, Saturday, October 3, they celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the hospitable home of Scott and Erasmia Smith, with the participation of a good number of faithful and catechumens, among them local residents, American service members, and Orthodox Christians from other countries. In his homily the Metropolitan spoke about the saint of the day, St. Dionysios the Areopagite, and about the Apostle Paul’s first sermon in Athens. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, before the agape meal that followed, the congregation was given a detailed presentation of the results of the effort to raise the funds needed to purchase a building and convert it into a church, spaces for events and teaching, and a residence for the priest and his family. An appeal was made to all to contribute financially toward acquiring the first Orthodox church in the history of Okinawa, where until now no Orthodox missionary work has ever been carried out.
On Sunday, October 4, they celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Alban’s Church in Tokyo, during which Deacon Christopher preached on the theme: “If we do not love our enemies, we are not Christians.” The journey concluded with the reception that followed in the church hall and the fellowship among all who attended.
With the promise of another visit soon, the Metropolitan and the Deacon returned to Korea, glorifying God, by whose grace this missionary journey too was accomplished.
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