Bishop Silvester celebrated the Nativity of Christ at Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Jinja city, sharing the festal luncheon with the little children. The solemn feast started with the traditional Orthros characterized by poetic chants with metaphorical expression of the birth of our Lord. Afterwards, the hierarch presided over the Divine Liturgy, co-serving with Fr. Chrysostom Koolya, Fr. Joseph Panuha and Hiero-deacons, Moses and Mateja. The latter is a guest monk-deacon from Serbia who received a warm welcome from the bishop.
During the Eucharistic assembly Titular Metropolitan Innocentios of Sozusa also came and attended, shortly after celebrating the service at St. Paraskevi – Busana Monastery, receiving a warm hospitality. Fr. Chrysostom Koolya, the Vicar General, read Bishop Silvester’s Christmas encyclical in English, interpreting it later in Lusoga. In his message the bishop emphasized the need for people to reflect on the reality of their existence. ”Christ’s incarnation necessitates us to change our ways, return to God and become agents of peace. Genuine justice has been denied to people due to the passion of man in selfishness, arrogance and greed,” he said in his letter.
After antidoron being served, children of Holy Resurrection Orphanage performed Christmas carols for the clergymen and the rest of the congregation. Composed songs were performed plus the festal Apolytikion, Kontakion, Exapostilarion and Doxastikon. The young girls and boys were then hosted to a luncheon in the gardens adjacent to Holy Resurrection Cathedral. It was indeed a day to reckon as the little ones, Jesus’ companions in age danced and leaped for joy.
Thank you so much Bishop for the liturgy