A new Orthodox Christian parish dedicated to Saint Barnabas the Apostle has been officially established in the Magunga village of Kenya’s Homabay deanery, according to the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

The founding of the parish was marked by a festive Divine Liturgy on the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost. The service was led by Father Angelos Oribe, dean of the Homabay district, concelebrating with Father Makarios Ondori and other local clergy.

Father Makarios Ondori, a priest of the deanery who was ordained earlier this year in Moscow by Metropolitan Konstantin, has been appointed rector of the new parish. The celebration gathered numerous parishioners and guests, many of whom took part in the Eucharist for the first time and received Holy Communion.

Following the service, Father Makarios addressed the faithful with a pastoral message, congratulating them on the opening of the parish and expressing gratitude for their support and involvement in building the local church community. The congregation warmly welcomed their new rector and pledged to assist in the parish’s future growth.

The new parish is dedicated to Saint Barnabas the Apostle — one of the Seventy disciples of Christ and a close companion of the Apostle Paul. Born on the island of Cyprus, Saint Barnabas is regarded as the founder of the Church of Cyprus. He was among the earliest to preach Christianity to his fellow Cypriots and played a key role in the missionary work of the early Church.

According to Church tradition, Barnabas was a man of great faith and compassion who sold his possessions and gave the proceeds to the apostles to help those in need. His name, meaning “son of encouragement,” reflects the essence of his ministry — proclaiming love, peace, and consolation to all.