Русская Версия

January 9, 2010
Franklin, TN: Archimandrite Daniel Byantoro, Dean of the of the Orthodox Mission in Indonesia (GOI), visited St. Ignatius Church

On Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th of December, St. Ignatius Antiochian Church in Franklin, TN, was honored to receive a visit by Archimandrite Daniel Byantoro, Dean of the of the Orthodox Mission in Indonesia (Gereja Orthodox Indonesia, "Indonesian Orthodox Church," or GOI, under the omophorion of Metropolitan Hilarion and ROCOR). Archimandrite Daniel celebrated the Divine Liturgy, co-served by rector Archpriest G. Thomas Walker and Priest Seraphim Scheidler (rector of St. Innocent Mission in Nashville, TN). Due to the current lack of a church building, St. Innocent Mission (ROCOR) has been granted temporary use of St. Ignatius Church for divine services. After the Liturgy, Fr. Daniel delivered a sermon entitled, "The Meaning of Christmas – A Call to Missions and Evangelism," and spoke on the needs of the mission in Indonesia. He spoke of heaven and earth uniting in the worship of the newborn King, of immortality and mortality becoming one, of heavenly glory and poverty rejoicing together at His Birth. In gratitude for this great gift of God’s love, we are called to offer back to God what we have, to give, so that others may also gain salvation. Participating in the purpose of the incarnation of God’s Word in the Flesh through Missions and Evangelism is the best way for us to express our gratitude and thankfulness during this Nativity Season. The missionary work of Father Daniel spans over 20 years, growing from his being the one and only priest and parishioner, to many missions and churches served by over 14 priests and deacons and spread over the vast island nation of Indonesia, the largest Islamic country in the world. The daily existence and missionary work of the native clergy is one of great difficulty and ever-lurking danger.

Please pray for him and our Russian Orthodox Mission efforts in Indonesia. For further information please visit http://www.friendsofindonesia.org

Father Seraphim
Mission of St. Innocent, Nashville, TN