"I say to you: Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest." (John 4:35)
Sometimes a new initiative does not start with a grand plan, but with meetings, conversations, and a desire to explore what is possible.
This is how OrthodoxCuracao was established.
How it started
My name is Joseph. About a year ago, I was baptized Orthodox and received the name of Saint Joseph the Hesychast.
Through my involvement with the Orthodox Church, my love for Orthodox Christianity grew. At the same time, I became increasingly interested in the question of what the Orthodox faith could mean for people in Curaçao.
In this search, I am spiritually guided by Father Johannes, a priest of the Orthodox Church in The Hague. With his blessing, I have begun to explore the possibilities for Orthodox faith life in Curaçao.
During this journey, various people and contacts came together. A significant role in this was played by Brother Macarius, who has established contacts from the Netherlands and has worked towards connecting with Curaçao.
Meeting with Curaçao
Particularly noteworthy were the contacts with young Curaçaoans who showed interest in Orthodox Christianity. Carlton, Syon, Lucio, and Yatniel are among the youth who have become involved and are following this development with interest.
Their questions and interest made it clear how important it is not only to talk about Curaçao, but especially to listen to people who have a connection to the island themselves.
From that grew a simple question:
Are there more Orthodox Christians or people interested in the Orthodox faith in Curaçao?
That question serves as an important starting point for OrthodoxCuracao.
Faith in the language of the island
Language also plays an important role in this.
Papiamentu is for many Curaçaoans the language of home, family, and daily life. Therefore, it is special that there is work being done on orthodox material and prayers in Papiamentu.
Making Orthodox texts accessible in the local language can help people not only to get to know the faith but also to experience it in their own language.
Care is important in this regard. Translations of liturgical and ecclesiastical texts require good coordination with the Orthodox clergy and the church tradition.
Contacts within the Orthodox Church
Through contacts within the Orthodox Church, opportunities have arisen to further investigate what is possible in Curaçao.
Are you Orthodox Christian, do you have Curaçaoan roots, or are you curious about Orthodox Christianity?
Let us know what your connection to Curaçao is and what your interests are.
That does not mean that there is already an established Orthodox parish in Curaçao at this moment. OrthodoxCuracao is in an exploratory phase.
We want to listen first.
Who are the Orthodox Christians in Curaçao? Are there Curaçaoans who want to get to know Orthodox Christianity? Is there a need for the Divine Liturgy, faith education, prayer, and fellowship?
And how can all of this be done carefully in consultation with the involved Orthodox clergy?
The next step
Therefore, we aim to connect people through OrthodoxCuracao and to better map the interest on the island.
Every response helps us to gain a more realistic understanding of what is happening and what is needed.
Are you Orthodox Christian, do you have Curaçaoan roots, or are you just curious about Orthodox Christianity?
Then we would love to hear from you.
Through our introductory form, you can indicate your connection to Curaçao, what you are interested in, and whether you would like to stay involved with future developments.
A path that unfolds step by step
We do not yet know where this road will ultimately lead.
What we do know is that contacts have been established, that people are showing interest, and that there is a desire to explore whether orthodox faith life can continue to grow in Curaçao.
OrthodoxCuracao wants to contribute to that carefully, with respect for the Orthodox Church, for the spiritual guidance we receive, and for the people, language, and culture of Curaçao.
We hope to share more about the developments, encounters, and stories that arise along this journey through this blog in the coming time.
Pray for Curaçao and for everyone involved in this initiative.
May God guide and bless this path. ☦
"Do not despise the day of small things." — Zechariah 4:10
+ Joseph
With gratitude, we also mention Saint John Maximovitch and Father Seraphim Rose. Their life, prayer, and words continue to inspire us in everything that happens in Curaçao and in the path that OrthodoxCuracao may take step by step.
