THE ... ADVENTURE OF A PROTESTANT "MISSIONARY"

Source: "Great art Thou, O Lord, and great art Thy works": True stories from the Hierapostole (Orthodox mission) in Africa (Hierapostolic Group "St. Cosmas the Aetolian", Thessalonica, Greece, 1996, p.59)

In the summer of 1994, Camp Colwesi (in former Zaire), had been unsettled by proclamations, posters, plackards and banners on the arrival of "Christ" who was coming in order to heal the blind, the paralytics and all the sick who lived in the area. Thousands of dollars were spent to prepare for the reception of a Pentecostal, who had started his mission from South Africa, aiming to offer healings to the sick people of Zaire.

The same costly preparation and glowing appearance had taken place in Luboumbashi, the second largest city in (former) Zaire (now Congo), where a large number of sick people had followed him in the hope that he would restore their ailing bodies.

The date for the opening series of sermons and "healings" to be performed by the novel "messiah" happened to coincide with the start of the series of petitions (Paraclesies) to the Birthgiver of God, our Panaghia the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, during the Dormition Fast of August.

Fr. Meletius (successor to renowned hierapostle fr. Cosmas of Gregoriou, in world Aslanides, of blessedness), informed our Christian laity on the forthcoming arrival of this "messiah" and forbade all to go to their gatherings, not even out of curiosity. It was only allowed to a couple of Christians to go and witness the words and actions of the Pentecostal in order to inform the Orthodox at Camp Colwesi who were in charge.

Every afternoon at 3:30 pm the "messiah" would begin to address the people in English (while two others would translate his words in French and Swahili) calling them to listen to his sermons and to receive therapy. At the same time, fr. Meletius would begin the Paraclesis Service in our church, which is dedicated to Saint George and which was situated only 100 metres away from the demonic gathering. He would also give an Orthodox sermon and together with the other Christians "go through" prayer ropes (komboschoinia) with prostrations. Both gatherings were fighting for victory. The result was announced on the last day (I remember it was Sunday) by the very same pompous miracle-working Pentecostal. Here is what he said:

"So far I have been to many cities and countries. Wherever I have been to my work has been wreathed in success. But what happened to me here in Colwesi has not happened before. All these days I did not manage to perform even one healing; not even one! I wonder what is going on. Some other force exists here in your city, my dear friends, that for some strange reason does not allow me to heal you so that you can believe in Jesus Christ. I leave you greatly embittered and I am afraid that I will not be able to return to your city."

The miracle of our Christ and Panaghia triumphantly occurred through a confession by the lips of the very enemy of the Truth. The event was announced to our faithful Christians on the Sunday after. Everyone was satisfied. They glorified God. They celebrated the wonders of God by singing hymns.

To be continued