Orthodox Christians Face Violence Following Contested Presidential Elections in Kenya
Orthodox Christians Face Violence Following Contested Presidential Elections in Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya - The New Year began with tragedy for many people in
Kenya as widespread violence erupted on December 27th in the wake of
contested presidential elections between incumbent President, Mwai
Kibaki, and challenger Raila Odinga.
Reports coming in from all over Kenya are painting a vivid picture of
growing unrest and escalating conflict. According to Reuters, over 300
people have already died in the clashes between rival factions and the
police.
The Kenyan capital city of Nairobi houses the Makarios III Patriarchal
Seminary and St. George Orthodox Church lies nearby in the heart of the
Kibera slums - the largest in Africa and a flash point for much of the
recent violence.
In a phone conversation with OCMC Executive Director, Fr. Martin Ritsi,
His Eminence, Archbishop Makarios of Kenya indicated that many homes of
Orthodox Christians in Kibera have been burned, and displaced residents
in the area are seeking safety and shelter within the confines of the
St. George Orthodox Church compound. He states that three churches (not
Orthodox) have been razed in Kibera thus far, and similar instances have
been seen in Western Kenya as well.
The Archbishop went on to report that several Orthodox priests had seen
their homes destroyed losing everything to fires set by angry mobs. Some
of these priests are now taking refuge at the seminary which has been
temporarily closed. Food has become scarce in Nairobi and people are
staying home fearing continued troubles.
Before hanging up, His Eminence urged calm and encouraged all Orthodox
Christians to pray for peace in Kenya. May the people of Kenya, guided
by the Holy Spirit, find this peace through unity in a common Father and
by the mercies of His only begotten son Jesus Christ.
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) is a non-profit
organization that has been commissioned by the Standing Conference of
Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) to proclaim the
fullness of the Christian Faith by establishing and nurturing vibrant,
Eucharistic communities, which evangelize those around them and minister
to the poor.
Contact: Alex Goodwin, Communications Director
Phone: (904) 829-5132
E-mail: communications@ocmc.org
Web: www.ocmc.org
Address: Orthodox Christian Mission Center
P.O. Box 4319
St. Augustine, FL 32085-4319
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