The Mission of the Church on Fiji and Cyclone Winston on the Island Vanualevu in the town of Labasa Life is best defined as a mystery; a wonderful mystery of God In this mystery, when we arrived by plane from Nadi of Vitilevu to Vanualevu, we had just spent four peaceful days at the mission center of Saint Paraskevi in the village of Sabeto with Archbishop Amphilochios, our Gheronda. In His Eminence's presence one senses deeply the pat ient, fat her ly love of our Hea ven ly Fat her . N a t u r a l l y at t h e c e n t e r v e s p e r s a n d "apodypno" (sometimes referred to as "compline) are said each evening and each morning orthros. We then share our breakfast, mostly in serene silence - accompanied only by the birds chirping and greeting the morning! Depending, after breakfast Gheronda might say an encouraging word to all or to each - and then perhaps a reading. One morning he read to us from St. Paul's letter to the Galatians; "...correct one another in a spirit of gentleness," and on other days he has shared readings from the "Gherontikôn" (Desert Fathers) about proper behavior becoming of monks (respectful shyness and avoiding vain curiosity) which he said applies to lay people as well) and about greed versus grace (pride versus humility). Arriving in Labasa on Friday with hopeful and j oyous anticipation by plane, we were heartily received by our father Barnava, formerly a Hindu. He and his family came into the Church at the
Life is best defined as a mystery; a wonderful mystery of God
In this mystery, when we arrived by plane from Nadi of Vitilevu to Vanualevu, we had just spent four peaceful days at the missioncenter of Saint Paraskevi in the village of Sabeto with Archbishop Amphilochios, our Gheronda.
In His Eminence's presence one senses deeply the patient, fatherly love of our Heavenly Father. N a t u r a l l y a t t h e c e n t e r v e s p e r s a n d"apodypno" (sometimes referred to as "compline) aresaid each evening and each morning orthros. We thenshare our breakfast, mostly in serene silence -accompanied only by the birds chirping and greetingthe morning! Depending, after breakfast Gheronda
might say an encouraging word to all or to each -and then perhaps a reading. One morning he read tous from St. Paul's letter to the Galatians; "...correctone another in a spirit of gentleness," and on otherd a y s h e h a s s h a r e d r e a d i n g s f r o m t h e"Gherontikôn" (Desert Fathers) about properbehavior becoming of monks (respectful shyness andavoiding vain curiosity) which he said applies to lay
people as well) and about greed versus grace (prideversus humility).
Arriving in Labasa on Friday with hopeful and joyous anticipation by plane, we were heartily received by our father Barnava,formerly a Hindu. He and his family came into the Church at the
kind invitation of Gheronda on a providential meeting five yearsago. Father Barnava then felt Gheronda's holiness and Gherondafelt fr Barnava's humility. It was meant to be. The Church is aliveand well now in Labasa and nearly 100 (men, women and
children) have been baptized - including the 23 that we baptizedon this trip. The baptized couples have also now been wed.
We were received into fr Barnava's home with true, embracing philoxenía. A sumptuous meal of curry and dal (like Greek fakés but spicy) with heaps of steamed white rice and a refreshingcucumber salad was readily served us by Presvytera Maria. Wethen said vespers and retired to clean quarters which they had
arranged for us. By the grace of God and with the Archbishop's blessing, on Friday morning the first fourteen were baptized - Oh! What joy!
Everyone took delight when little Eirini put up a bit of a fight!
Preceding the baptisms of course, is the Service of theCatechumens - but actual catechism also was given: the meaningof doing one's cross; God from heaven sent into the world HisOnly-begotten Son, Jesus Christ - and we have protection on all
sides by the Holy Spirit; the why of the three fingers together andthe meaning of other two; Christ's own example and Hiscommission that we baptize "all nations" («!"#$% $% &'#(») andthe continuous prayers that we all have of the Theotokos, our Pânaghía. Together we also enjoyed learning a song about her
many names: ! "Pânaghía Despoina" ! .
Saturday, the wonderful ecclesial climate of agape-love was notovertaken by the intense heat and high humidity, as the fearedcyclone (named "Winston") was closing in, weaving in and outamong the islands. That evening businesses closed, a curfew wasimposed as the winds and rain raged! Everyone throughout theislands was in a prayerful mood. Needless to say, the other baptisms had to be postponed. It was said that this might be the biggest cyclone in their recent history.
Saturday night the islands were hit. Intense prayer everywhere -as the strong winds and rain increased. Except for a fewgenerators, all electricity was out. There was property andlandscape damage everywhere, certain parts of the Fijian Islands were hit harder than others. Hundreds were injured. May ourgood and eternal God grant rest to the 21 persons who perished.
On Sunday morning - true Resurrection! Labasa was hit less byCyclone Winston. As God allowed and though the police werestanding guard (keeping the curfew), we were allowed to drive toour Saints Nicholas and Athanasios Church. The newly illuminedand many others who also were allowed out despite the curfew were in attendance. And we celebrated one of the most very
thankful liturgies ever! After a light refreshment we thencelebrated another 9 baptisms and two more weddings! By thepatient and Apostolic work of Archbishop Amphilochios, theChurch is growing here on the Fiji Islands and the kingdom of
God is procuring more prospective members. Glory to God! ) µ*#!
Father Barnava leads the catechumens in the Symbol of Faith
