ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

Exarchate of Parishes of Russian
Tradition in Western Europe

The crisis in Kenya and how it affects the Orthodox Church there

In 2006 I visited the Orthodox Patriarchal Seminary in Nairobi, Kenya. It was during the Holy Week and I followed the footsteps of His Eminence Metropolitan Makarios of Kenya. This meant I was participating in several services in different locations each day in Nairobi.

One such a journey took me to the parish of Saint George in Kibera. This part of Nairobi is said to form the biggest slum in Africa, consequently it has a matching reputation. I had been to Kibera before – a friend has a house there. This time it was the Holy Friday. The faithful were particularly happy to have their Father in Christ celebrating with them. Onlookers were astonished by the Orthodox procession through the narrow paths of Kibera. Because I had private arrangements for transport I stayed behind in this parish a little longer. This is when I got to know Father Moses.

He introduced me to the Orthodox Youth Association of Kibera and their leaders and the church cantor. The choir of Saint George is famous for its powerful singing. I was impressed by how people were active and focused and the Church was in the centre of this all.

Last year, in the last days of December after the results of the presidential elections, the news came. The members of the parish of Saint George, as so many other Kenyans, had to flee from ethnic violence and hatred triggered by provocative actions by irresponsible politicians.

Phone calls to His Eminence Makarios confirmed that assistance, food, clothing and blankets, were required immediately. Father Moses told me that they have all become homeless.

Where did the Orthodox Church come from, how did she find her way to East Africa?

In the 1920’s, in search of a ‘true church’ a handful of Kenyans with friends in Uganda wondered what the true faith really is. A genuine answer was not to be found in missions brought in by the Europeans. A contact was made with a so-called African Orthodox Church and a bishop was invited to baptise and train and ordain priests. In 1946 the African Orthodox movement in Kenya was accepted under the jurisdiction of Patriarchate of Alexandria.

Archbishop Makarios of Cyprus was an important friend of Kenyans since the 1950’s and sympathised with their struggle for independence. He helped to complete building of the Patriarchal Seminary in Nairobi in 1974 that now bears his name. Today there are an estimated half a million Orthodox Christians in East Africa alone. One wonders how has this miracle been kept secret for all this time.

In Kenya the Liturgy can be celebrated in 16 indigenous languages. The Orthodox Church has spread across the country and has stretched her limits to serve the Orthodox faithful even in remote communities. It is not uncommon for one priest to serve up to four parishes.

The success of the Orthodox Christian faith can also be explained by the approach to the native customs and practises. Not everything in the African traditional ways is been judged as evil and primitive – a mistake of the early European missions in Kenyan history. As an accommodative ‘religion’ Orthodoxy is winning souls among those who have previously rejected Christianity, an example being the famous Maasai people.

The current crisis

Now, returning to the issue of crisis – there is another war that has been fought in Kenya for years with the support of Western countries. That is the war against HIV/AIDS pandemic. The spread of HIV/AIDS correlates with certain factors: Nutrition, access to health care, level of hygiene, access to clean water and level of education – no wonder the war against this decease has been mostly lost. There are close 900 000 children orphaned by AIDS in Kenya. Young people in their thousands reach the adulthood without ever experiencing intimate relationship or love. Churches in Kenya have an important role in trying to look after these vulnerable children and the Orthodox Church is no exception in that. Father Moses has currently about 35 kids who are either orphans or whose parents cannot be found at the moment.

When the fighting broke out at the end of last year, unimaginable madness took over people. Homes were raided and burned, there were a number of murders and rapes and often there was someone involved in these actions that was your neighbour, someone you went to school with, someone you shared the journey to work. Instead of the political unrest turning into a quest towards freedom and democracy it turned into ethnic cleansing and an excuse for looting. Far from being spontaneous the violence was and is still orchestrated by political extremists. Some areas are inaccessible owing to ethnic militias blocking roads to check what language people speak - and singling out those seen as enemies.

Unequal distribution of wealth has embittered many. Economic growth has become a curse for many ordinary men. Life is no longer affordable to most people with small salaries. One cannot afford to buy children school uniforms or even pay rent. As there is no hope, no opportunity, families break up. Material poverty is accompanied by spiritual poverty.

Life in the Parish of Saint George has not returned to normal, and it is unlikely to do so in the near future regardless of the promises of political solutions at the top. Although Nairobi has calmed down the situation around the Church in Kibera is still very tense. It is not always possible to travel there.

With the assistance from London Father Moses has been able to provide food and other supplies to the displaced. His Eminence has provided shelter at the Seminary to the most vulnerable. Those in education have returned to school, even though for those travelling distances the journey can be dangerous.

Our support has helped Father Moses to pay rent for temporary housing for many. Some who have still remained in the Jamhuri Park showground are currently being evicted from there. It is feared that the government will see the problem solved this way and people’s homes in Kibera will be also lost for good.

Father Moses has divided his flock into smaller groups or families to be able to assist them easier. He visits them in agreed meeting points delivering supplies. In public places he would be overwhelmed by the people in need and the aid could not be distributed equally.

I asked Father Moses how  he feels in the middle of all this madness. He reminded me and reminds us all that everyone bears the image of Christ. He supports and meets people in his priestly immunity across the denominational and ethnic divide. Among the people of Kibera the Orthodox Church has a reputation of caring and loving church. The massive task of reconciliation is waiting. People want to return home but they don’t know what they will find.

His eminence Metropolitan Makarios is grateful of all efforts to support the Church in Kenya. He has sent his blessings.

We should also think how we can continue to remember our African brothers and sisters. Could there be assistance to empower Orthodox Christian communities in Africa. The Orthodox Church in Kenya relies on foreign donations. Helping to secure the future of these people is the key to the future for the Kenyan Orthodox Church, and the Church is the key to life and salvation.

How to contribute:

The Parish of the Dormition, London, will continue to collect for the Kenyan Orthodox, and if you at there services you can contribute there. If not, and you would like to contribute, please send your cheque to: The Treasurer, 54 Ayr Way, Rise Park, Essex RM1 4UH, payable to: “The Russian Orthodox Church in London
(EP) and please mark it “Kenya” on the back.