Most Reverend Brothers

Metropolitan Dimitrios of Irinoupolis and the Seychelles,
Metropolitan Joachim of Zambia and Malawi,
Your Grace Bishop Ioannis of Mozambique,

Reverend presbyters and deacons of the local Church
Distinguished representatives of the diplomatic corps
Honorable representatives of the authorities of the Republic
Representatives of other Christian confessions
Devout people of God,

From the hierarchical throne of this vacant diocese, the Primate of the Apostolic See of Saint Mark, the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, Theodore, and with him the Holy and Sacred Synod, have elected the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Zimbabwe, George, as the new Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of Accra.

Most Reverend and dear brother Metropolitan George of Accra,

Submitting with humility and willingness to the call of God, as an instrument in His hands, “a chosen vessel,” you are officially assuming today the pastoral responsibilities for the Church that sojourns in Accra. As a bishop, pastor, teacher, father, brother, but above all as an “apostle,” i.e. a minister. A minister of God and of His sacraments, of the people and their personal struggles. As a “herald of truth and an apostle of freedom.” (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, PG 7, 919).

The apostolic ministry is a way of life and a discipleship and without a doubt constitutes a personal rise or fall. The ministry, your path, must move between the poles of kenosis and assumption. This fact is not unknown to you. It is the path of He Who chose you and He Who sent you, Jesus Christ.

And if He consented and condescended to empty Himself “unto death, even death on the Cross,” do you think that you have any other choice?

If He, your Lord and God, remains deaf to Peter’s cry that “it is good for us to be here” in permanent residence on Tabor, and chooses to descend into history in order to transform it, in the world that “groans and travails” for Him to assume it and free it from the “final enemy,” do you think that there is any other path for you?

Do not despair at the enormity of the challenge, nor think about your human weakness. “His grace is sufficient. For His Power is perfected in weakness.”

My dear brother, George,

The local Orthodox Church of Ghana lives, breathes, and moves with a variety of persons, races, traditions, confessions, and religions. Your ministry cannot ignore this reality. A reality that urgently demands the peaceful coexistence of the Church with the other, the different, through dialogue and acceptance, not just tolerance, so that the faith does not become a cause of disputes and fighting, nor a tool for political and nationalistic ends. The Church, and the faith in general, is and must remain a place of reconciliation between humans and God and between one another. Therefore, you are called to dialogue with other Christian Churches and expressions, and also with other religions, such as Islam and traditional African religions. This constitutes another challenge for you and your Church, inasmuch as every sincere and true dialogue presupposes openness, willingness to listen to the other, readiness to overcome prejudices, and a desire to learn.

Your calling, all of our calling, must be the missionary path and method of the apostle to the nations, Paul, as he expressed it in the city of Athens, at the Areopagus, with his recognition of the religiosity of the Athenians, their piety, and their desire to know the truth. Paul praised them rather than condemned them and thus showed us how to preach. This suggests a continuity between those to whom we preach the gospel and Jesus Christ, to whom we hope to direct them. The “how” and the “what” of your preaching are provided to you by the local culture, traditions, art, philosophy, and theology of the people, all of which bear the mark of God and the eternal wisdom that lies in their hearts.

It is necessary and constructive for Orthodoxy in Africa to recognize that its missionary methodology is out of date, and for us to finally realize, collectively, the need for a paradigm shift, abandoning the outdated missionary models from other times, other rationales, another theology, other political choices, and celebrating daily, with pain and great effort, but kenotically and with love, the mystery of the Incarnation here and now. The perpetually renewing Holy Spirit, “the consistent and creative Wisdom and Power of the God of all,” calls us to adopt a new way of life and to listen with a favorable disposition to those prophetic voices, of both clergy and laity, both men and women, which are multiplying and which are calling for a change of course, a change of mind, i.e. repentance. What’s at stake is the very consciousness of our Church, the evangelical word and truth.

Finally, the Church asks you not to limit your preaching to those who are near, but also to reach out to those who are far off here on the African continent. Speak to all those who do not know about, cannot or even do not want to understand the “big bang” that is taking place at this time in Africa. Speak to them about Africa and its Church, which generate ideas, theology, new approaches and categories of thought, struggles, life, and hope. About Africa and its Church not as a permanent receiver of ideas, views, and theological thoughts, but as having reached the point where it ought to be accepted as a treasury from which they themselves can draw much benefit. About Africa, which, while it would like all Orthodox brethren to participate in this process, cannot accept nationalistic approaches to the Church. And about Africa which knows that, with the grace of God, even if only eventually, this will come to pass.

Assure, at every opportunity, all our brothers in the so-called first world that are far from us, that we remember them with much love in our prayers. We are in anguish as we watch the rapid de-Christianization of their countries, the spiritual desolation and hopelessness in their hearts, at the same time that we, through the grace of God and despite the many obstacles and difficulties, live daily the Resurrection in our communities and in our hearts. We are ready to contribute in any way we can to the re-evangelization of their countries, “Because the barren has given birth, the Church from the nations, and she of many children, the Synagogue, has grown weak” (Irmos, Canon of the Forefeast, 21 December).

Holy and Most Reverend brother,

May the years of your archpriesthood be many. May your ministry be fruitful and productive. May you always be for your brothers, clergy and laity, the will of the Father, the Son and Word in their midst, and the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth in their hearts.

Our most holy Patriarch gives you a fatherly embrace and blesses you, praying that the grace of the Incarnate Christ comes upon you, supports you and empowers you, and wishing wholeheartedly that your light shine “before all men.”