Orthodox Mission in the Kingdom of Tonga

From the first visit of an Orthodox missionary in Tonga

December 2014

Dear brothers,

“Christ is born, give glory!”

These words of the composer were heard in the far Tonga islands for the first time, this year. Their echo reaches every corner of Oceania.

God enters the life and history of Pacific Islanders and the joy that He spreads to their pure souls is mirrored in their innocent faces. Oceania decides to follow the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ, at a time when Europe shuts its doors to Him, whom it owes everything to, and opens them to the false prophet of Arabia and the idols of materialism and atheism.

The Light of the world, Christ, came to Earth, in order to illuminate people, but what a pity! They loved darkness more than light. But to those who faithfully followed the Godman Jesus, He gave them the power to be children of God.

Christ’s Light was handed down by missionaries Cyril and Methodius along Europe and other regions of the world, where many other missionaries carried and still carry it until now, glorifying the name of Orthodoxy.

Christ gave us the privilege and high mission to keep the Orthodox faith pure and unadulterated and to transmit it to other nations.

Christ is the Truth and the real Life and we must follow Him faithfully and forever.

I pray that Christ, who was born in the manger of Bethlehem, will also be born in the heart of each of us and His grace will never leave us helpless and defenseless.

Merry Christmas, Many Happy Returns and a hopeful and joyful New Year 2015.

†Amphilochios of New Zealand
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