In the last days of the Nativity Fast, two new priests were added to the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Old Believer Church. On December 31, in the Intercession Cathedral at Rogozhskoye, Metropolitan Korniliy (Titov) ordained Deacon Nikola Mirima to the priesthood, and on January 8 Deacon Korniliy Muhwezi. Both priests were ordained for the Old Believer communities of Uganda.
A delegation from Uganda arrived in Moscow in early December to participate in the III International Old Believer Forum. The Old Believer parishes of Uganda sent five delegates to Russia: priest Joachim Walusimbi, Nikola (Nicholas) Mirima, Korniliy Muhwezi, Alexander (Derrick) Mukisa and the wife of the first Old Believer priest in Uganda, Mother Margarita Kiimba. Already at the stage of discussing the possibility of their coming to Moscow, it was clear that the visit would not be limited to participation in the Forum: it is not so often that there is an opportunity to meet with the Primate of the Church, gain experience in liturgical practice, and, with the participation of the Russian clergy, try to resolve the difficulties that African Christians face in their parishes.
Today there are four Old Believer communities in Uganda. Until recently, they were cared for by one priest, Fr. Joachim Walusimbi. Father Joakim’s strength and time are clearly not enough to cope with all the parish affairs. The life of communities in Uganda, in addition to religious services, includes assistance to the poor, medical treatment and education – the latter in most African countries is not necessarily provided by the state and is therefore not available to everyone. This is why the communities see it as their direct responsibility to give children at least basic knowledge – this is the first step in the opportunity to receive a more thorough education and get a job in the future.
To help Father Joachim, the communities elected two representatives to be ordained as priests, Nikola Mirima and Korniliy Muhwezi.
Fr. Nikola Mirima is 38 years old, he has a higher education in journalism, works as a social worker, and heads the work of a new primary school opened at an Old Believer church in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. The Mirima couple are raising a daughter and three orphan nieces.
Fr. Korniliy Muhwezi is 49 years old. The Mukhwezi family, which has six children, is engaged in private farming. On January 9, part of the Ugandan delegation left for their homeland. Fathers Joachim and Korniliy, as well as candle-bearer Alexander, will remain in Russia until the end of January.
