Difference between revisions of "Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos"
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| − | Rev. [[Archimandrite]] '''Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos''' ( | + | Rev. [[Archimandrite]] '''Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos''' (Greek: ''' ''Χρυσόστομος Παπασαραντόπουλος'' ''', 1903-1972) was a pioneering missionary who laboured to spread the [[One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church|Orthodox faith]] in [[Archdiocese of Kampala and All Uganda|Uganda]], [[Archdiocese of Kenya|Kenya]], [[Archdiocese of Mwanza|Tanzania]], and [[Archdiocese of Central Africa|Congo]]. |
| − | == | + | ==Greece 1903-1960== |
| − | Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos was born in Vasilitsi, [[w:Messenia|Messenia]], Greece | + | ===Childhood Years=== |
| + | Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos was born Christos Papasarantopoulos in 1903 in Vasilitsi, [[w:Messenia|Messenia]], Greece to Theodoros Papasarantopoulos and Stavroula Trigourea (''afterwards [[Nun]] Sebastiani''), the seventh child of the family. He was born into a devout Christian home, and from childhood he devoted his life to Christ. At the age of 10 he lost his father, and was forced to leave school in order to work. At 15 years of age he left his family home in secret and went to settle at the [[w:Koroni|Koroni]] monastery in order to pursue his longing for the spiritual life; however he soon left this monastery since his relatives would visit him and beg him to return to the family. Afterwards, he went to Kalamata, to the then well-known Hermitage of Panagoulakis (Holy Monastery of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary),<ref group="note">Hermitage of Panagoulakis in Kalamata, Greece (Greek: Ιερά Μονή Ευαγγελισμού της Θεοτόκου Παναγουλάκη). This monastery is currently [[Old Calendarist]] and not in communion with the [[Church of Greece]].</ref> known for its strict [[asceticism]], and here he became a [[monk]]. The excesses of the Igumen there and the very strict lifestyle of that Hermitage overcame him and left him him with a permanent health problem. | ||
| − | During the years 1920-1929 Archimandrite Chrysostomos stayed at the Holy Monastery of Gardikiou (Moni Gardikiou), in Messenia.<ref>[http://www.mmess.gr/gardikiou.php?lang=en Holy Metropolis of Messenia]. Holy Monastery of Gardikiou.</ref> | + | ===Later Years=== |
| + | During the years 1920-1929 Archimandrite Chrysostomos stayed at the Holy Monastery of Gardikiou (Moni Gardikiou), in Messenia.<ref>[http://www.mmess.gr/gardikiou.php?lang=en Holy Metropolis of Messenia]. Holy Monastery of Gardikiou.</ref> On [[May 4|May 4th]] 1926 he was [[Ordination|ordained]] into the [[Presbyter|priesthood]], and was appointed as the [[Igumen]] of that monastery. | ||
| + | At some point he [[Tonsure|tonsured]] his mother as a [[Nun]]. For several years he served at the surrounding villages as the officiating priest. During this period Fr. Chrysostomos found time to complete his school studies (via [[w:Homeschooling|Homeschooling]]), and undertook to learn the French language. After the disestablishement of the Monastery of Gardikiou (due to lack of personnel), Fr. Chrysostomos transferred to the [[Metochion]] of the Holy Monastery of Voulkano, Chrysokellaria, near [[w:Koroni|Koroni]].<ref group="note">(Greek: Παλαιά Ιερά Μονή Βουλκάνου). This Byzantine monastery dates from the year 725 A.D. according to tradition.</ref> | ||
| − | + | He then came to Athens and joined the Holy Monastery of the Bodiless Powers (Petraki),<ref group="note">(Greek: [http://www.monipetraki.gr/ Ιεράς Μονής Ασωμάτων - Πετράκη])</ref> where his main duty was that of father [[Confession|confessor]] for people of all ages and walks of life, becoming well respected and loved. In the years of occupation<ref group="note">Second World War, and the ensuing [[w:Greek Civil War|Greek Civil War]].</ref> Fr. Chrysostomos went to Edessa where he served as the General Hierarchical [[Vicar]] and [[Protosyngellos]]. Subsequently he was transferred to [[w:Kozani|Kozani]], Thessaloniki, and Athens, where he received his Secondary School Diploma. Afterwards he returned to Monastery of the Bodiless Powers (Petraki) in Athens, from where he determined to enroll in the University of Athens Theological School. At the age of 55, in 1958, he finally received his theological degree which he had so greatly desired. | |
| − | He then came to Kenya. Learning a new language at that age was not easy, but within a year of arriving in Kenya, Father Chrysostomos could preach in [[w:Swahili language|Swahili]]. Although no longer young, Father Chrysostomos displayed an energy, which a man half his age might have envied. He launched himself into a continual round of evangelizing, teaching and preaching. He had the qualities, which should be the hallmark of every priest: zeal, dedication, self-sacrifice, devotion to duty and, above all, holiness.<ref name=MAKARIOS/> | + | During the course of his studies in Athens he came into contact with certain colleagues of African descent, who may have inspired him towards his forthcoming mission. In the event, after many years of faithful service in his native country, he experienced a strong leading, a true "Macedonian Call,"<ref group="note">Acts 16:6-10.</ref> to go as a [[missionary]] to Africa.<ref name=MAKARIOS>[[Makarios (Tillyrides) of Kenya]]. ''Sermon at a Memorial Service for the Pioneer Missionary Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos, at the Church of St. Paul, Kagira, 29 December, 1993.'' '''Adventures in the Unseen, Volume 1.''' Orthodox Research Institute, 2004. pp.115-119.</ref> |
| + | |||
| + | ==Africa 1960-1972== | ||
| + | At the age of 57 he decided to go on his mission to Africa. Both the Archbishop at that time and his friends tried to discourage him from going, citing his advanced age and medical condition. However during a trip to the [[Holy Land]], he encountered the Patriarch of Alexandria [[Christophoros II of Alexandria|Christophoros II]] from whom he obtained the blessing, and thus resolved to continue his mission to Africa. | ||
| + | |||
| + | He then came to Kenya. Learning a new language at that age was not easy, but within a year of arriving in Kenya, Father Chrysostomos could preach in [[w:Swahili language|Swahili]]. He also translated the [[Divine Liturgy]] and various [[Prayer|Prayers]] into Swahili. Although no longer young, Father Chrysostomos displayed an energy, which a man half his age might have envied. He launched himself into a continual round of evangelizing, teaching and preaching. He had the qualities, which should be the hallmark of every priest: zeal, dedication, self-sacrifice, devotion to duty and, above all, holiness.<ref name=MAKARIOS/> | ||
For 10 years, Father Chrysostomos laboured in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, but all the time his spiritual vision was fixed on another territory, where the flag of Orthodoxy had not at that time been raised: the country which is today called the Democratic Republic of Congo.<ref group="note">Previously called ''Zaire''.</ref> In 1970 Father Chrysostomos went to live in Congo to begin a new mission there, staying there for two years, that is, for the remainder of his life. | For 10 years, Father Chrysostomos laboured in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, but all the time his spiritual vision was fixed on another territory, where the flag of Orthodoxy had not at that time been raised: the country which is today called the Democratic Republic of Congo.<ref group="note">Previously called ''Zaire''.</ref> In 1970 Father Chrysostomos went to live in Congo to begin a new mission there, staying there for two years, that is, for the remainder of his life. | ||
| − | + | ===Death=== | |
| + | Father Chrysostomos continued his labours until his death. On December 13, 1972 while travelling from [[w:Kananga|Kananga]] to [[w:Lubumbashi|Lubumbashi]] he was overcome by profuse nose-bleeding. He returned to Kananga, celebrated the [[Divine Liturgy]] on [[Nativity|Christmas Day]], and ultimately fell asleep in the Lord on [[December 29]], 1972.<ref group="note">A very close co-worker with Father Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos in East Africa had been a Greek Archimandrite named [[Athanasios Anthidis]], who offeried his mission work there for many years. On Christmas 1980, Father Athanasios traveled to India to begin a systematic Orthodox Mission in the rural area of Arambah, in West Bengal. After he passed away in 1990, he was suceeded a year later by priest-monk Fr. [[Ignatios (Sennis) of Madagascar|Ignatios Sennis]], who came to Calcutta to continue the mission. (''[http://www.cs.ust.hk/faculty/dimitris/metro/DEC98.html Censer], Dec. 1998'')</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Legacy== | ||
| + | Father Chrysostomos opened the road for modern Orthodox missionary activity in Africa. He started out at 57 years of age all by himself without any aid, and found himself in Africa preaching the word of the [[Gospel]]. After labouring for twelve years across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Congo, and also learning the Swahili and French languages at a relatively old age, he fell asleep in Africa having started a huge task which was continued with great success. | ||
| − | + | Today, much progress has been made in evangelizing Congo, and there is a [[Archdiocese of Central Africa|Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church in Kinshasa]]. Father Chrysostomos was the pioneer, who laid the foundations, on which the superstructure of Orthodoxy in Congo was raised up. Kenya is not a small country, but Congo is more than four times the size of Kenya. Father Chrysostomos was always on the move, travelling widely. His life was a continuous round of travelling, preaching, [[Baptism|baptizing]], planting churches and celebrating the [[Divine Liturgy]]. The greatest desire of his heart was to spread Orthodoxy to Congo, and in this, he was marvellously successful. He was a perfectly humble man, full of the [[Holy Spirit]], a truly [[w:altruism|altruistic]] person who remains relatively unknown even today.<ref name=MAKARIOS/> | |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| Line 31: | Line 43: | ||
* [http://www.mmess.gr/gardikiou.php?lang=en Holy Metropolis of Messenia]. Holy Monastery of Gardikiou. | * [http://www.mmess.gr/gardikiou.php?lang=en Holy Metropolis of Messenia]. Holy Monastery of Gardikiou. | ||
* Stephen Hayes. ''[http://www.orthodoxytz.com/OrthodoxMission.asp Orthodox Mission in Tropical Africa].'' '''Missionalia''' (Journal of the Southern African Missiological Society). | * Stephen Hayes. ''[http://www.orthodoxytz.com/OrthodoxMission.asp Orthodox Mission in Tropical Africa].'' '''Missionalia''' (Journal of the Southern African Missiological Society). | ||
| + | '''Greek sources''' | ||
| + | * [http://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%A7%CF%81%CF%85%CF%83%CF%8C%CF%83%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%BC%CE%BF%CF%82_%CE%A0%CE%B1%CF%80%CE%B1%CF%83%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%B1%CE%BD%CF%84%CF%8C%CF%80%CE%BF%CF%85%CE%BB%CE%BF%CF%82 Χρυσόστομος Παπασαραντόπουλος] at the Greek Wikipedia. | ||
| + | * Aναμνηστικός τόμος Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Ορθοδόξου Εξωτερικής Ιεραποστολής. ''Αρχιμανδρίτης Χρυσόστομος Παπασαραντόπουλος.'' Θεσσαλονίκη 1974. Επιμέλεια: Π.Δ.Παπαδημητρακόπουλου. | ||
| + | * Περιοδικό ''"Φως Εθνών".'' Ορθοδόξου Ιεραποστολής "Ο Πρωτόκλητος", τεύχος 114. | ||
| + | * Aρχιμ. Χαρίτων Πνευματικάκις. ''Στην Αφρική για το Χριστό ο Αρχιμανδρίτης Χρυσόστομος Παπασαρντόπουλος.'' | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==External Links== | ||
| + | * [http://ierapostoli.gr/ Πανελλήνιος Χριστιανικός Όμιλος Ορθοδόξου Ιεραποστολής] (''Orthodox Missionary Website - in Greek'') | ||
[[Category:Priests]] | [[Category:Priests]] | ||
[[Category:Monastics]] | [[Category:Monastics]] | ||
[[Category:Missionaries]] | [[Category:Missionaries]] | ||
| + | [[Category:University of Athens Theology School Graduates]] | ||
Revision as of 04:19, June 22, 2010
Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos (Greek: Χρυσόστομος Παπασαραντόπουλος , 1903-1972) was a pioneering missionary who laboured to spread the Orthodox faith in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Congo.
Contents
Greece 1903-1960
Childhood Years
Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos was born Christos Papasarantopoulos in 1903 in Vasilitsi, Messenia, Greece to Theodoros Papasarantopoulos and Stavroula Trigourea (afterwards Nun Sebastiani), the seventh child of the family. He was born into a devout Christian home, and from childhood he devoted his life to Christ. At the age of 10 he lost his father, and was forced to leave school in order to work. At 15 years of age he left his family home in secret and went to settle at the Koroni monastery in order to pursue his longing for the spiritual life; however he soon left this monastery since his relatives would visit him and beg him to return to the family. Afterwards, he went to Kalamata, to the then well-known Hermitage of Panagoulakis (Holy Monastery of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary),[note 1] known for its strict asceticism, and here he became a monk. The excesses of the Igumen there and the very strict lifestyle of that Hermitage overcame him and left him him with a permanent health problem.
Later Years
During the years 1920-1929 Archimandrite Chrysostomos stayed at the Holy Monastery of Gardikiou (Moni Gardikiou), in Messenia.[1] On May 4th 1926 he was ordained into the priesthood, and was appointed as the Igumen of that monastery. At some point he tonsured his mother as a Nun. For several years he served at the surrounding villages as the officiating priest. During this period Fr. Chrysostomos found time to complete his school studies (via Homeschooling), and undertook to learn the French language. After the disestablishement of the Monastery of Gardikiou (due to lack of personnel), Fr. Chrysostomos transferred to the Metochion of the Holy Monastery of Voulkano, Chrysokellaria, near Koroni.[note 2]
He then came to Athens and joined the Holy Monastery of the Bodiless Powers (Petraki),[note 3] where his main duty was that of father confessor for people of all ages and walks of life, becoming well respected and loved. In the years of occupation[note 4] Fr. Chrysostomos went to Edessa where he served as the General Hierarchical Vicar and Protosyngellos. Subsequently he was transferred to Kozani, Thessaloniki, and Athens, where he received his Secondary School Diploma. Afterwards he returned to Monastery of the Bodiless Powers (Petraki) in Athens, from where he determined to enroll in the University of Athens Theological School. At the age of 55, in 1958, he finally received his theological degree which he had so greatly desired.
During the course of his studies in Athens he came into contact with certain colleagues of African descent, who may have inspired him towards his forthcoming mission. In the event, after many years of faithful service in his native country, he experienced a strong leading, a true "Macedonian Call,"[note 5] to go as a missionary to Africa.[2]
Africa 1960-1972
At the age of 57 he decided to go on his mission to Africa. Both the Archbishop at that time and his friends tried to discourage him from going, citing his advanced age and medical condition. However during a trip to the Holy Land, he encountered the Patriarch of Alexandria Christophoros II from whom he obtained the blessing, and thus resolved to continue his mission to Africa.
He then came to Kenya. Learning a new language at that age was not easy, but within a year of arriving in Kenya, Father Chrysostomos could preach in Swahili. He also translated the Divine Liturgy and various Prayers into Swahili. Although no longer young, Father Chrysostomos displayed an energy, which a man half his age might have envied. He launched himself into a continual round of evangelizing, teaching and preaching. He had the qualities, which should be the hallmark of every priest: zeal, dedication, self-sacrifice, devotion to duty and, above all, holiness.[2]
For 10 years, Father Chrysostomos laboured in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, but all the time his spiritual vision was fixed on another territory, where the flag of Orthodoxy had not at that time been raised: the country which is today called the Democratic Republic of Congo.[note 6] In 1970 Father Chrysostomos went to live in Congo to begin a new mission there, staying there for two years, that is, for the remainder of his life.
Death
Father Chrysostomos continued his labours until his death. On December 13, 1972 while travelling from Kananga to Lubumbashi he was overcome by profuse nose-bleeding. He returned to Kananga, celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Christmas Day, and ultimately fell asleep in the Lord on December 29, 1972.[note 7]
Legacy
Father Chrysostomos opened the road for modern Orthodox missionary activity in Africa. He started out at 57 years of age all by himself without any aid, and found himself in Africa preaching the word of the Gospel. After labouring for twelve years across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Congo, and also learning the Swahili and French languages at a relatively old age, he fell asleep in Africa having started a huge task which was continued with great success.
Today, much progress has been made in evangelizing Congo, and there is a Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church in Kinshasa. Father Chrysostomos was the pioneer, who laid the foundations, on which the superstructure of Orthodoxy in Congo was raised up. Kenya is not a small country, but Congo is more than four times the size of Kenya. Father Chrysostomos was always on the move, travelling widely. His life was a continuous round of travelling, preaching, baptizing, planting churches and celebrating the Divine Liturgy. The greatest desire of his heart was to spread Orthodoxy to Congo, and in this, he was marvellously successful. He was a perfectly humble man, full of the Holy Spirit, a truly altruistic person who remains relatively unknown even today.[2]
See also
Notes
- ↑ Hermitage of Panagoulakis in Kalamata, Greece (Greek: Ιερά Μονή Ευαγγελισμού της Θεοτόκου Παναγουλάκη). This monastery is currently Old Calendarist and not in communion with the Church of Greece.
- ↑ (Greek: Παλαιά Ιερά Μονή Βουλκάνου). This Byzantine monastery dates from the year 725 A.D. according to tradition.
- ↑ (Greek: Ιεράς Μονής Ασωμάτων - Πετράκη)
- ↑ Second World War, and the ensuing Greek Civil War.
- ↑ Acts 16:6-10.
- ↑ Previously called Zaire.
- ↑ A very close co-worker with Father Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos in East Africa had been a Greek Archimandrite named Athanasios Anthidis, who offeried his mission work there for many years. On Christmas 1980, Father Athanasios traveled to India to begin a systematic Orthodox Mission in the rural area of Arambah, in West Bengal. After he passed away in 1990, he was suceeded a year later by priest-monk Fr. Ignatios Sennis, who came to Calcutta to continue the mission. (Censer, Dec. 1998)
References
- ↑ Holy Metropolis of Messenia. Holy Monastery of Gardikiou.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Makarios (Tillyrides) of Kenya. Sermon at a Memorial Service for the Pioneer Missionary Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos, at the Church of St. Paul, Kagira, 29 December, 1993. Adventures in the Unseen, Volume 1. Orthodox Research Institute, 2004. pp.115-119.
Sources
- Makarios (Tillyrides) of Kenya. Sermon at a Memorial Service for the Pioneer Missionary Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos, at the Church of St. Paul, Kagira, 29 December, 1993. Adventures in the Unseen, Volume 1. Orthodox Research Institute, 2004. pp.115-119. ISBN 9780974561851
- Holy Metropolis of Messenia. Holy Monastery of Gardikiou.
- Stephen Hayes. Orthodox Mission in Tropical Africa. Missionalia (Journal of the Southern African Missiological Society).
Greek sources
- Χρυσόστομος Παπασαραντόπουλος at the Greek Wikipedia.
- Aναμνηστικός τόμος Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Ορθοδόξου Εξωτερικής Ιεραποστολής. Αρχιμανδρίτης Χρυσόστομος Παπασαραντόπουλος. Θεσσαλονίκη 1974. Επιμέλεια: Π.Δ.Παπαδημητρακόπουλου.
- Περιοδικό "Φως Εθνών". Ορθοδόξου Ιεραποστολής "Ο Πρωτόκλητος", τεύχος 114.
- Aρχιμ. Χαρίτων Πνευματικάκις. Στην Αφρική για το Χριστό ο Αρχιμανδρίτης Χρυσόστομος Παπασαρντόπουλος.
External Links
- Πανελλήνιος Χριστιανικός Όμιλος Ορθοδόξου Ιεραποστολής (Orthodox Missionary Website - in Greek)
