Eastern Orthodoxy in Madagascar

Eastern Orthodoxy was first brought for the local population here in 1994 by hieromonk Nectarios (Kellis) who arrived from Australia.

In Antananarivo, the capital, the temple of the Assumption of Mary was built, together with eparchial directorate and orphanage for several hundred children.

On 26 of March 1995, during the Cross-Bow Week, in the Assumption Cathedral, Metropolitan Zimbabwean Chrysostom ordained deacon Ioann Rikotondrazafi as a presbyter.

With the blessing of Patriarch Peter VII on 23 of September 1997 the Holy Synod of Alexandria Church elected Father Nectarios the first bishop of Madagascar.

But the elder of the village speaking for all of the locals answered them: "We could demand your departure at the very first day, but we listened to what you wanted to say.

Here also the hierarch Nectarios planned to build a temple, a seminary, a woman cloister, and an eye clinic.

In the villages and settlements people live in huts made of palm leaves; chapels and temples are usually of the same material.

Father Nectarios died in a helicopter crash together with Patriarch Peter VII and 15 other people on 11 September 2004.