Posted by by Constantine Markides (dcalvert) on 8/27/2007, 5:28 pm By Constantine Markides in Kenya THE Orthodox Church is renowned for its unshakeable adherence to In one week this month, he consecrated three churches, one in the The Kenya Archbishop does not merely grudgingly allow these tribal "Actually, we as a church are the ones who are encouraging and "We also insist that every tribe demonstrates [in the church] its The 62-year-old Archbishop is so supportive of their traditions that "Many cannot imagine a bishop dancing," he said. "[They find] it The Archbishop has also learned the chants in the language spoken in All of this, along with his commitment to building schools and Last Wednesday during the funeral service of a 38-year-old Presbytera But despite the innumerable churches constructed under his guidance "We don't go out knocking on doors to bring people in. We merely say "We are not forcing anybody."
The Kenya Orthodox Experience: where tribal dances meet Byzantine
chants
ancient Byzantine traditions, as is reflected in its regal vestments
and lengthy liturgical ritual. But adhering to Byzantine tradition
does not necessarily mean that the customs of other cultures must be
discarded, at least not according to the Limassol-born Archbishop of
Kenya Makarios Tyllirides, whose efforts over the past three decades
have led to a flourishing of Orthodoxy throughout Kenya.
Nairobi periphery shantytown of Kangemi, another in the southern
hillside community of Karinde, and another in the jungle village of
Ivola near Lake Victoria in Western Kenya. But although the
ceremonies did not diverge in substance from those performed in
Cyprus and Greece, there was an additional dimension to them: the
rituals of the tribal community were also included.
traditions. In fact, he insists that they be incorporated into the
Orthodox services.
keeping alive the culture of these people," Archbishop Makarios
said. "For some of these tribes, this is the first time that written
texts [the translated texts of the Orthodox services] are circulating
in their dialects. In fact, the services you heard today in Swahili
were published in Cyprus."
Archbishop Makarios noted that technological advances and the Kenyan
government's adoption of English as its official pedagogical language
had only served to sever the 42 tribes of Kenya from their native
dialect.
traditional dances and songs," the Archbishop said. "That way we
maintain the tradition."
he joins in on the dances with them, wearing his bishopric regalia,
scepter in hand.
unthinkable in our tradition. But here we do it. It does no harm to
anybody."
the particular region, so the liturgies are conducted in both Greek
as well as the local dialect.
clinics in remote regions, has helped to draw in crowds. The churches
overflow during the consecrations, with attendees one moment bowing
down and crossing themselves silently, and the next ululating and
clapping their hands over their heads.
who died from post-natal anemia after giving birth to her 11th child,
hundreds of Kenyans, possibly even a thousand, gathered from the
neighbouring villages to hear him speak.
and the thousands of Kenyans who have joined the Orthodox Church in
Kenya, Archbishop Makarios insists that proselytising does not take
place.
come and see. If they like what we are doing, then they will join us.
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