On the name day of Bishop Silvester Kisitu of Jinja and Eastern Uganda, the festive Divine Liturgy was celebrated in Namayingo. On 2 January, the Church commemorates our father among the saints, Silvester Pope of Rome, who is the heavenly patron of the Bishop of Jinja. The hierarch was joined in the eucharistic assembly in the ecclesia of Holy Resurrection – Buhemba by priests, Prodromos Lubega, Chrysostom Koolya, Josephat Ojiambo and Hiero-deacon Mateja from Serbia.
Following the Divine Liturgy, blessing of loaves for thanksgiving was offered in the Artoklasia service. Among the benefactors was a nine-year old Seraphim who was also celebrating his name day, the feast of the venerable Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov. In a special way, His Grace welcomed the presence of Titular Metropolitan Innocentios of Sozusa.
While delivering his sermon, Bishop Silvester gave account of the two commemorated saints, delving into their lives and significance in the Church. With saint Silvester, he said that the holy father banished the teachings of heretics. “He always unerringly instructed the pious Christians. This was way before the Great Schism, so the Church was still one.”
“Through his love for humanity as a hierarch, saint Silvester advocated for justice in society,” he said. The bishop concluded the sermon by urging the congregation to keep their children in the Church which saint Silvester fought for and also ask for his intercessions always.
Metropolitan Innocentios, in his remarks thanked the family of the late Paul Obaso whose member, George reposed recently and was buried on Tuesday 31 December 2024. His Eminence urged the village leaders to also play their roles in restoring the prominence of the community. “Through donations, the Church, schools and a health facility were established. But it is upon us to maintain them especially the latter two which have fallen into despair,” he said.
As a priest in early 2000s, Metropolitan Innocentios Byakatonda was the first cleric to preach Orthodoxy in this community. He catechized and performed baptism of the first converts in 2003.
Subsequently, a celebratory meal was shared in the church compound after which a festive cake was cut. This was the third time Bishop Silvester was celebrating his name day since his enthronement as the shepherd of Jinja and Eastern Uganda in 2022. He celebrated the first one in 2023 at Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Jinja City. Last year’s event was held at Holy Trinity – Kanapa parish in Kumi district.
Holy Resurrection – parish is located at Lwanikha village, Buhemba in Namayingo district, eleven miles from town. It is currently under the pastoral care of Fr. Moses Gubi as the parish priest. It has a well-built church consecrated in 2009 by Metropolitan Jonah Lwanga of blessed memory, a school, clinic, and a vicarage; all donated by St. John Chrysostom Fraternity. The 30 acres of land provide ample space for agricultural projects.
