He came to Kenya in 1977. Having a Doctorate Degree, he started lecturing at the newly established Makarios III Seminary in Nairobi. This put him directly in charge of growth of the church via intellectual guidance and development of the clergy in the whole of Africa. And no other has served the church in Africa like him. At one point, he went to Zimbabwe and came back to Kenya. He has so far sourced funds and helped to build hundreds of churches all over the country. He has inspired dozens of clergy in the church to start and run self-sustaining micro-projects in the church in form of clinics, schools and even colleges. He has laid hands to ordain more than 300 priests during his tenure. And whenever challenges arise; “there is hope, everything is possible, we shall try, we will do when we can, we shall do it, pray and through God’s grace, everything will be okay.” These are some of his comforting messages to the clergy and other Christians who report to him with problems and looking for his hand to solve them. Many are those that he solves and goes on to assist whenever possible. He is truly a man of God and he will be the first to confess if he offends the clergy. And whoever dares to attack him directly, “he will be down to the ground to make peace. He will go to all ends and make every effort to ensure the church is one in Kenya. You may not like him, but what can you show for your hate. He will show you clergy, he will show you catechist, he will show you nice churches and chapels, and he will show you schools and clinics. This will automatically prove to you that his great love for the church supersedes yours by a wide margin. And you have no other option other than to pray for him. “MAY GOD GRANT YOU MANY YEARS.”

archbishop makarios with kids at Njabini

Most of the times, he will be in the remote areas baptizing, consecrating, meeting priests, conducting burials and weddings, praying for the sick, anointing the weak and teaching the communities.

You will again meet him on the road walking through the rough terrains to reach the lowly who live in the marginalized areas. He is humble and he knows how to listen to people and share more with them about the word of God. And today, he has become a role model and a mentor to many around the world. And it’s at your discretion to decide whether he qualifies to be called a spiritual man.

Archbishop Makarios of Kenya
(Wednesday, 30 April 2014)