Pan-Orthodox magnificent slava days of togetherness and spirituality

Despite the heavy rains and bad weather in Johannesburg on 19 and 20 October, when the patron feast-day was celebrated, a great number of parishioners, guests and priests visited the church of Saint Thomas the Apostle. 

After almost five arid and dry months in Johannesburg, we all spontaneously felt  the three-day intensive rain as a great blessing of God and Saint Thomas the Apostle, as well as the blessing of our Patriarch and the dearest guest, His Grace Bishop David of Stobi.  

The five-day visit of Bishop David and deacon Marko to South Africa was a great success, since it was inspirative, rich in activities, meetings, mutual prayers... We managed to visit several parishioners, monastery in Gerardsville, church  in Pretoria, orphanage in Atridgeville, a school in Tembisa, some of the sights of Johannesburg and Pretoria (Carlton center, Gandi square, Farm Inn in Pretoria, Montecasino, Lion Park, Lesedi Cultural Village...) , attended the rehearsal of the art ensamble Balkan (this year's host of the slava) and were at the organized welcome and reception in the residence of Archbishop Damascinos of Johannesburg and Pretoria, who welcomed our Bishop with great love and spent few days with us. 

Source: Archimandrite Pantelejmon, head of teh church of St. Thomas the Apostle