From the depths of Benue State, in one of the most remote corners of Nigeria, where the land still breathes with the soul of real Africa and time moves with a different rhythm.
To reach these places one must travel long roads with patience and endurance. Yet every journey into this blessed land reveals a quiet inner peace that words can scarcely describe. Amid the silence of the countryside and the simplicity of daily life, the heart rediscovers the true meaning of the mission.
In the towns of Adikpo and Ugba, near the border with Cameroon, I carried out my pastoral visit to the local Orthodox communities. On Thomas Sunday, 19 April 2026, we celebrated the Divine Liturgy outdoors, among the huts of the villagers, together with the clergy of the region and the faithful people of God.
A deeply moving moment was the honoring of Fr. Charles, who completed twenty-five years of priestly ministry. With gratitude for his devotion and sacrificial service to the Church, we conferred upon him the office of Protopresbyter. The Church must never forget to honor her clergy, those who quietly carry the cross of ministry — a cross not of privilege, but of sacrifice, love, and offering.
Traveling through villages, dirt roads, and distant Orthodox communities, we encountered people of remarkable simplicity, dignity, and faith. Everywhere we were welcomed with sincere joy, warm hearts, and the genuine hospitality that still survives in the forgotten corners of the world.
Despite the hardships of daily life, the Orthodox faithful of Benue remain steadfast, supporting their parishes with love and perseverance. Here one understands clearly that the mission of the Church is sustained not by wealth or comfort, but by faith, endurance, and the self-sacrifice of devoted clergy and faithful communities.
One particularly emotional moment was our visit to the village of Fr. Andrew Ioraver, where we offered a memorial prayer for his late mother in the presence of his family and relatives.
Our journey then continued for many hours through difficult and, at times, nearly impassable roads toward two Orthodox communities in the countryside. Repeated vehicle breakdowns forced us to stop many times along the way. Yet by the grace of God, we finally reached the villages safely, where entire communities, together with local leaders and families, had gathered to welcome us with touching joy after many months.
After venerating the holy churches and meeting the faithful, I blessed the site where a new priest’s residence will be built, as well as the location where a well shall soon provide clean water for the wider community.
We also celebrated the blessing of the foundation stones for two new community buildings. The first will serve the pastoral and administrative needs of the parish and clergy, while the second will become a place dedicated to the women of the community and their activities. These spaces will also support the wider needs of the villages, offering practical assistance and becoming places of care, fellowship, and hope.
At the same time, newly constructed sanitation facilities were blessed, projects made possible through secured financial support and the shared efforts of people who continue to believe in the importance of the missionary work of the Church.
Standing in these remote places, one cannot help but feel deep gratitude for those who quietly carry the burden of the mission each day.
From my heart, I express sincere thanks to all benefactors and supporters of our local Church, whose love strengthens these communities and sustains works of hope and dignity. I also extend my gratitude to the clergy of Benue State, humble laborers of the Gospel, who tirelessly travel across the countryside, planting the seeds of faith with love, obedience, and unwavering dedication to the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa and to the Orthodox Metropolis of Nigeria.
For collaborators such as these, one can only feel gratitude, respect, and hope for the future.
