ΤHE SUBMERSION OF THE HOLY CROSS IN THE CONGO RIVER

On Sunday 6^th January 2019, His Eminence Panteleimon, Metropolitan of Congo-Brazzaville and Gabon served the Divine Liturgy, preached the homily and conducted the Service of the Great Sanctification at the Holy Parish Church of the Resurrection of the Lord in the capital, Brazzaville, following which a procession took place by special permission ending on the banks of the Congo River.

The Orthodox Christians experienced therefor the 6^th time in the history of the Orthodox community, the ceremony of the submersion of the Holy Cross in the waters of the second largest river in the world.

On the banks His Eminence spoke briefly about the submersion of the Holy Cross and the sanctification of the waters. In conclusion he conveyed to the Christian flock the paternal wishes and blessings of His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandrian and All Africa, thanked the state authorities for the respect shown to and the support of the local Orthodox Church of Congo-Brazzaville, as well as the state television Tele-Congo for the television coverage of the Eucharistic Gathering and the ceremony of the submersion of the Holy Cross.

On the return to the Holy Church he gave an Epigonation to the Parish Priest, The Reverend Iconomos Fr. Sergius Mabelemo, presented to the congregation the candidate for upcoming ordination Mr. Iakovos Ntsoumou Miayokela and received the thanks of the Chairman of the Parish Council Mr. Adrien Hossie for the paternal concern and love shown. His Eminence then departed immediately by air for the See of the Holy Metropolis in Pointe-Noire.

More Photos...http://www.orthodoxchurchcongo.com/news/h-katadysh-toy-timioy-stayroy-ston-potamo-congo3.html