Theodoros (Nankyama) of Kampala

His Eminence Theodoros (Nankyamas) of Kampala was the Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Kampala and All Uganda under the jurisdiction of the Church of Alexandria from 1995 to 1997. A native of Uganda, Metr. Theodoros was among the first three Ugandans consecrated to the episcopacy as part of the patriarchate's mission to Sub-Saharan Africa.

Life

Metr. Theodoros was born in Tweyanze, Monde, Uganda about the year 1924. He became associated with Fr. Spartas and the group of Ugandans who had discovered Orthodox Christianity. At the age 21, he was sent to study at the patriarchate in Alexandria, Egypt, initially from 1945 to 1948 at the Kaniskerion School and then at the Photios II College from 1948 to 1954. In 1954, he entered the Theological School of the University of Athens. After his graduation in 1959, Theodoros studied for two years at Oxford University under a scholarship from the World Council of Churches.

In 1961, Theodoros returned to Alexandria where he was ordained to the priesthood before returning to Uganda. In 1969, Father Theodoros was raised to the dignity of archimandrite. In 1972, Fr. Theodoros was elected bishop of Naukratis by the Holy Synod of the patriarchate of Alexandria as auxiliary bishop to the Metropolitan of Irinoupolis in East Africa.

In November 1994, Bishop Theodoros was elected Metropolitan of the newly established Archdiocese of Kampala and All Uganda that was formed from a restructuring of the Archdiocese of Irinoupolis. He established his see at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Namungoona[1], a suburb of Kampala. The first African elected metropolitan, his tenure as the ruling hierarch occurred during a time of great stress in Uganda from the rule of dictatorships and civil war. Through this chaos, Metr. Theodoros strove to improve the status of his faithful. Obtaining scholarships, he was able to send young Ugandans to Greece, Romania, and the United States to be educated in various fields. As these students returned to Uganda, they assisted in rebuilding and revitalizing the church.

After his repose, Metr. Theodoros was succeeded by Metr. Jonah (Lwanga) in 1997.

Source

• Theodoros Nankyama

Succession box: Theodoros (Nankyama) of Kampala
Preceded by: —	Bishop of Naukratis Vicar of the Metropolitan of Irinoupolis 1972-1994	Succeeded by: ?
Preceded by: —	Archbishop of Kampala and All Uganda 1994-1997	Succeeded by: Jonah (Lwanga)

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