Christianity among the Mayan Indians is undergoing a dramatic change in places like Guatemala and southern Mexico. This shifting of religious identity is part of a larger trend that is enveloping much of Latin America.
Archbishop Athenagoras begins Holy Week with his Mayan flock.
Ortencia hugs Fr. John Chakos (OCMC Missionary)
According to the Pew Research Center report published in November of 2014, “Historical data suggests that for most of the 20th century, from 1900 through the 1960’s, at least 90% of Latin America’s population was Catholic.” Remarkably, however, in just one lifetime, the Pew survey indicates that only “69% of adults across the region identify as Catholic.”
The Church at the Hogar, an Antiochian orphanage in Guatemala City
The Mayan faithful celebrate Palm Sunday with Palm Crosses in hand.
Up until recently, Orthodox Christianity did not play much of a role in this changing landscape. Most of the Orthodox parishes consisted of immigrant colonies, established mainly to perpetuate the customs, languages, and traditions of their respective ethnic cultures and mother churches in Europe.
Archbishop Athenagoras greets his Mayan flock in Aguacate.
The title of a recent article in the Huffington Post by Carol Kuruvilla, however, announces a major shift in this approach to the church’s mission: “The Greek Orthodox Church in Latin America Is Not Very Greek.” Embracing this change and adapting to this new reality, His Eminence Archbishop Athenagoras, since his 1996 appointment by His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew to shepherd the Central American churches, has reached out to the indigenous people of this vast region, encompassing Mexico, Central America, Columbia, Venezuela, and the Caribbean islands.
Of his 52 active clergy, only 3 are of Greek descent. The enthusiastic reception by His Eminence Athenagoras of many thousands of Mayan Christians into the Orthodox fold has transformed this Church into a unity of diverse people, sharing one faith, but speaking many native dialects, as on the day of Pentecost.
Tajumulco, Guatemala
Of his 52 active clergy, only 3 are of Greek descent. The enthusiastic reception by His Eminence Athenagoras of many thousands of Mayan Christians into the Orthodox fold has transformed this Church into a unity of diverse people, sharing one faith, but speaking many native dialects, as on the day of Pentecost.
One of those recently carried the Word of God was the Fr. Andreas Giron.
Mother shares miracle of her daughter walking
On March 10, 2014, at the outset of our afternoon pastoral visit to the Ascension Parish of Pebilpan in Huehuetenango, Guatemala, I was approached by one of the catechists, who described a recent healing of a three year-old child attributed to the intercessions of the late Fr. Andres Giron (2/16/14). It should be noted that during our travels to a number of villages in this region, many others have testified that since his passing, Fr. Andres has appeared in their dreams, always wearing his customary white cassock. Towards the end of our visit we gathered in the sanctuary with our seven member mission team from Hellenic College/Holy Cross Seminary and the forty or so parishioners of the community. I was introduced to a young mother, her three year-old daughter and the child’s grandmother.
Fr. Andres presents his beloved flock to Archbishop Athenagoras
They were all part of the mother’s dream in which Fr. Andres appeared. As she spoke, I translated her dream into English. (A youtube video of the interview will follow soon). The mother began by saying that her daughter did not have the strength to walk for most of her three years of life. One night as the mother slept, Fr. Andres appeared to her in the aunt’s house, sitting in a chair, and he said to her: “Love one another and forgive one another. If you do this, I will give you help and support.” After saying this, he disappeared in the dream. In his place the child’s grandmother appeared, saying: “Ask Fr. Andres to help your daughter.” In the dream the distraught mother began to pray to Fr. Andres to help her daughter. At that moment, they said to the little girl, “come, come,” and she began walking. The next day, the mother went to the church with a photo of Fr. Andres in her hand. She was very sad because of her daughter’s infirmity. So she started praying to Fr. Andres in church, saying, “help my daughter because you are close to God.” Returning home around two in the afternoon, she saw that her daughter was walking. As an expression of thanksgiving as is the custom, she passed out avocados to everyone that same day. After hearing the woman’s testimony, we remained in the church singing songs of praise to God. The people of Pebilpan did not want us to go. We left their community that day with the distinct feeling that although their beloved leader was no longer physically in their midst, he was still very much with them in spirit.
Guatemalan clergy and missionaries who will continue Fr. Andres’ legacy of selfless service
Fr. Andreas Giron says: “The Mayan people are the most religious people I’ve ever met. They have a tremendous need and love for God. Even though we are unworthy,when we visit these villages,they are so happy to see a priest that they receive us on their knees with incense…I am so proud to serve them. As a priest you have to be holy because they are calling you to be holy.”
Fr. Andres visits his beloved flock of San Miguel
During the memorial commemorations for Fr. Andres,many were the testimonies of villagers that told of specific and concrete ways that he had personally helped them, whether it was legal help to reclaim property, prayers for healing, financial help for a needy family, medical assistance for those who needed treatment or medicine, scholarships for indigent students, counseling for troubled souls, or priestly formation for the many seminarians that he mentored. More than just a mere sacramental officiant or social worker, he was a father to his people. They were in his heart and he in theirs. Indeed, in each village commemoration, whether expressed in poems, processions, personal testimonies, tears or songs, the legacy of Fr. Andres’ devoted priestly service and love for his beloved flock is fondly remembered and continues to be a source of inspiration. Of him it could be said,that he led by serving others and won their hearts by becoming one of them.
On March the 10th, we interviewed a woman who reported a miracle that occurred through the intercessions of the late Fr. Andres Giron. We posted an initial article a few days ago, and now we are happy to provide the video of this miracle report. I am translating for the woman as she reports her story. This interview took place at the Orthodox church in Pebilpam, Guatemala.
Used article:
www.ocmc.org
www.ocmc.org
www.thewordfromguatemala.com
Photo taken by J.Rice as part of the 2014 OCMC Mission Team.
Where is SAMP?
Currently, the SAMP program is supporting mission priests in Cameroon (7), Chad (3), Congo, Democratic Republic of the (45), Cote d'Ivoire (1), Ghana (17), India (9), Indonesia (7), Kenya (166), Madagascar (20), Nigeria (8), Philippines (1), South Africa (4), Tanzania (14), Uganda (27), Zimbabwe (2).
http://www.ocmc.org/
Photo taken by J.Rice as part of the 2014 OCMC Mission Team.
Where is SAMP?
Currently, the SAMP program is supporting mission priests in Cameroon (7), Chad (3), Congo, Democratic Republic of the (45), Cote d'Ivoire (1), Ghana (17), India (9), Indonesia (7), Kenya (166), Madagascar (20), Nigeria (8), Philippines (1), South Africa (4), Tanzania (14), Uganda (27), Zimbabwe (2).
http://www.ocmc.org/
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