Media in the Orthodox Church in Africa, an interview with the Metropolitan of Burundi and Rwanda – Innocentios during his visit to Romania

As reported by a Romanian News website Basilica News Agency, after his seven-day visit to the Metropolis of Cluj in Romania during the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, His Eminence Metropolitan Innocentios of Burundi  and Rwanda was interviewed  by a local church radio station Renasterea, where he commented on a number of points in regards to the Orthodox Church in Africa of which included, Digital Media in the African Orthodox Church situation and he quoted,

‘Already other religious denominations have their radio stations and televisions,’ His Eminence said adding that ‘unfortunately for us (Orthodox Church), we are at the beginning. But it is our dream to have these means.’

‘The radio or the TV stations of the government, whenever we have big functions, they come and they cover the services of the Orthodox feasts. But those are major feasts as Christmas, the Holy Week, and maybe big Baptisms.’

‘As we are hoping to be like the other denominations, what matters is money that starts that.’

‘I will use an expression, when you give birth to a child, he does not start walking immediately, he grows slowly-slowly. That is our dream.’

In relation to his impression about orthodoxy in Romania, His Eminence Innocentios was mesmerized by the patience, humility and faith portrayed by the pilgrims who attended the celebrations at Nicula Monastery on the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God and during the 7 km walk which they participated in with the highest level of commitment.

The current Media situation in most Orthodox Churches in Africa.

The many Orthodox Churches in Africa are trying to advantage of the various free Social media Platforms, that is, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, etc, in trying to give publicity to their respective centers in the representation of aspects ranging from spiritual, social and economic. This at some extent has further given the justification of our existence although, owning our own private Media houses/centers just like other denominations as mentioned by His Eminence during the interview with Renasterea Radio, can pose a tremendous impact in spreading the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Orthodox way!