GUATEMALAN FAITHFUL CELEBRATE ORDINATION OF THEIR FIRST BISHOP

On October 13th, 3,500 Orthodox faithful joyfully shouted “Digno”and “Axios” (worthy) upon receiving the former Archimandrite Evangelios Patá, now His Grace Osios of Sasima, from the hands of His Eminence Santiago, Metropolitan of Mexico. His Grace Osios’ consecration took place at the Saints Peter and Paul Formation Center, on a scenic mountaintop overlooking the city of Huehuetenango. This lofty site, which also houses the San Andres Seminary/Mission Center, will soon be receiving students from among the many countries of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Mexico. Their graces Timoteo, vicar of Columbia, and Atenagoras, Vicar of Cuba and the Caribbean Islands, also laid hands upon the newly ordained Osios, whose vicariate includes Guatemala, Chiapas, Mexico and Central America. It should be noted that the elevation of a humble Mayan priest to the rank of bishop gives the long-suffering faithful Orthodox Christians a servant who embodies in his person, not only the cultural particularities of his devout fellow villagers, but also their indomitable spirit of self-sacrifice and love for Christ. As one of their own, His Grace Osios will be a faithful and authentic intercessor before the throne of God, while at the same time imaging the High Priesthood of Christ in such a way that his people can glorify God in the sacred uniqueness of their own culture. And so, together with the Guatemalan faithful and the many supporters who made this historic day possible, let us exclaim, AXIOS! DIGNO!