During the World Council of Churches' Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order held in Egypt, Africa, China Christian Daily talked with The Very Rev. Prof. Evangelos M. Thiani, a senior priest of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa.
As a third-generation Orthodox Christian from Kenya and a professor of practical and public theology, Father Thiani offers a unique perspective on the intersection of ancient tradition and African identity. In this interview, he discusses the history of the Orthodox Church in Kenya, the complex relationship between church and nationalism, and the "incarnational model" of mission. He also shares a message of solidarity with the church in China.
China Christian Daily: Father Thiani, for those who may not be familiar with the Orthodox presence in East Africa, could you introduce yourself and the history of the Greek Orthodox Church in Kenya?
Fr. Evangelos Thiani: My name is Father Evangelos Thiani. I serve as a Senior Protopresbyter—a senior married priest—within the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa. I am also a professor teaching theology in Nairobi.
I am a third-generation Orthodox Christian. The Orthodox Church in my country, Kenya, began in 1929. My grandparents were among the very first people to join. Originally, they were under the Scottish Presbyterian and British Anglican missions. However, they protested against these churches because they were viewed as colonial institutions at the time. My grandparents believed that a church should defend its people and respect local cultures.
Breaking away from the mission churches in the 1920s, they sought to start a church run by Africans. In that journey, they connected with a group in Uganda seeking the same, and eventually with the African Orthodox Church in the United States. By the 1940s and 50s, we were canonically received into the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa.
China Christian Daily: Can you provide an overview of the Eastern Orthodox Church's current scale, both globally and specifically in Africa?
Fr. Evangelos Thiani: The Eastern Orthodox Church comprises 17 autocephalous churches. By order of respect, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (Istanbul) is first, followed by our church, the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa.
Globally, there are about 350 million Orthodox Christians. Here in Africa, we are a relatively minute population—approximately one million. However, the Orthodox Church in Kenya is the largest on the continent, hosting perhaps half of that African population. We have four dioceses, four bishops, and over 500 local Kenyan priests. Kenya also hosts the Makarios III Seminary, the main theological school for the Patriarchate, where I teach. We train about 100 students annually from across the African continent, fully sponsored by the church.
China Christian Daily: What were your takeaways from this conference?
Fr. Evangelos Thiani: This conference was historic. It was the first time Faith and Order met on the African continent, and the first time under the auspices of an Orthodox Church. Uniquely, I had the honor of being the first African Orthodox keynote speaker in its history.
Another key takeaway was the demographics. Africa is a youthful continent—70% of our population is young. Unlike other forums that are often dominated by senior leaders, we saw a strong presence of youth here. If you don't have people below 35, you don't have the right representation of Africa.
Finally, the conference showed that visible unity is possible if we look deeply into ourselves. Many of our differences have nothing to do with the core of the faith. We can find ways to work together.
China Christian Daily: In your address, you touched upon the relationship between the church, the state, and nationalism. How does a close tie to national politics hinder the Church's universal mission?
Fr. Evangelos Thiani: Many of our churches are indeed founded on nationalistic principles—whether it is the Orthodox Church in Russia or the Anglican Church in the United Kingdom. While territorial identity can help preserve culture, it often interferes with how we relate to others.
If a church is too highly connected to the politics of its nation, it struggles to embrace those from other nations. Furthermore, when two countries conflict, their respective churches often lose connection. A prime example is the current tension between the Church of Russia and the Church of Ukraine.
Here in Africa, this geopolitical conflict has affected us. Because our Patriarchate took a side, we chose to recognize the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church; that decision became a huge issue. It was not just a church matter; it was entangled with NATO, European politics, and the geopolitics of Russia. Now, that problem has come to us here in Africa. It broke our relationship, and we are no longer in communion with the Church of Russia because of that decision. It is a huge issue born out of politics.
China Christian Daily: There were Russian delegates at this conference. Were you able to interact with them despite this schism?
Fr. Evangelos Thiani: Yes, I spoke to almost all of them. As human beings and fellow Christians, we have no problem. We can eat, drink, and talk together. But when it comes to worship, we separate. On Sunday, for example, when the local Orthodox Church led the worship service, the Russian delegates could not attend. They were here, but they could not come. This is the reality of the separation.
China Christian Daily: Since Christianity was introduced to Africa from the outside, how do you approach contextualization? You have proposed an "incarnational model" of mission.
Fr. Evangelos Thiani: The incarnational model is based on what Christ did. God became man so that humans could relate to God.
For the mission, this means that when missionaries come to a new land, they must "come down." They must learn the local language and respect the culture, rather than imposing their own. If a missionary group forms a community that only speaks a foreign language and serves expatriates, how will the locals ever participate?
Missionaries must emulate the local reality. What they offer should enrich the local church, not replace it with a foreign cultural identity. This is how we ensure the church is truly rooted in African soil.
China Christian Daily: Shifting to liturgy and tradition, the Orthodox service is quite distinct, with its vestments, incense, and icons. What does this tradition offer the global church?
Fr. Evangelos Thiani: The Greek Orthodox Church carries a continuous tradition spanning 2,000 years, from the Apostolic era through the Middle Ages to today. We offer the world a window into how the early church prayed and worshiped.
Our worship is very sensory and biblical. Regarding icons, they are central to our theology. We use them not just as art, but to facilitate a connection with the divine. We have icons of Christ, the Incarnate God, as well as the Virgin Mary and the saints. By looking at them, we try to emulate their lives and see how they maintained their witness for Christ.
We also use a lot of incense. This reflects the Book of Revelation, where the angel holds a golden censer, and the smoke carries the prayers of the saints to the throne of God.
Regarding vestments, we maintain the tradition of the early church. Priests wear dark colors to symbolize humility and repentance, reminding us that we are sinful and that Christ is the focus, not us. However, during the liturgy, we wear colorful, beautiful vestments. This is eschatological; it reminds us of the beauty of the heavenly kingdom. We try to manifest the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.
China Christian Daily: Father, do you have a message for the Christians in China?
Fr. Evangelos Thiani: We talk about China often in our missiology classes. We know of your history and the struggles you have faced. We have heard how effective your mission has been and how important faith is to you, even as a minority in your nation.
I want to encourage you. Remember that here in Africa, we have had—and still have—many martyrs. Their faith strengthens us.
Our prayer is that God will guide His mission in China. Do not give up, even though it may be tough or considered "different" by society. Even though we may not meet in person, we know that God is with you. We stand in solidarity with you, for God sees your faith and your fellowship.
