Videos
Below you’ll find a selection of videos and interviews related to the mission work in Tonga, Fiji & Samoa. I hope you find it interesting and inspirational. Please keep the missionaries and people of Oceania in your prayers!
Video Tour of St. George Church
A brief tour of the Church of St. George – one of the most remote Orthodox Temples in the world. I made this video during my first trip to Tonga in April, 2019.
Fr. Paul Patitsas – Miracle of the Tonga Church Windows
Fr. Paul Patitsas was part of the Apostolic Ministry in Oceania for nearly a decade. In this short video he tells how God’s Hand directed even the smallest details of building the first Orthodox Church in Tonga.
Beautiful 1-hour Documentary
The incredible story of the Orthodox Pacific Mission details the miraculous events following Metropolitan Amfilochios Tsoukos’s arrival in the Pacific, his tireless efforts and remarkable achievements in bringing Orthodoxy to the islands of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.
“Stories That Work” Interview – March 2020
Fr. Matthew Howell and Dcn. Adam Roberts interviewed me following my second trip to Tonga. We discuss the progress made on the Church of St. George and hopes for continuing the work in Oceania.
Stories That Work – September 2020
In a follow-up to our March 2020 interview, Fr. Matthew interviews Archimandrite Meletios, Director of Missions for the Archdiocese of New Zealand. Fr. Meletios shares his remarkable story of becoming an Orthodox Christian after growing up atheist in communist Yugoslavia.
Children and Nuns Singing During Divine Liturgy
In February, 2020 our group of 5 stopped at the St. Tabitha Orphanage in Fiji on our way to Tonga. Though only able to stay a few hours, each of us felt that we left a piece of our hearts in Fiji with those beautiful children.
The Podcast that Started My Journey: An Interview with Missionary Priest Fr. Paul Patitsas
Ancient Faith Presents – March 1, 2018
This interview gives a wonderful overview of the missionary work accomplished by the Holy Archdiocese of New Zealand in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga over the past decade. Fr. Paul’s invitation for listeners to help was the inspiration for me to reach out and eventually get involved in this project.
Michael's Tonga Blog
Post 1 – I’m Going to Tonga!?!
Malo e Lelei! Six weeks ago I had never even heard of Tonga, or if I had it didn’t stick with me. Samoa? Yes. There are quite a few Samoans in Alaska, plus the famous Orthodox NFL linebacker Troy Polamalu is of Samoan Descent. Fiji? Best I could tell you is it was...
Post 2 – First Day in the Kingdom of Tonga
Hot, but not too bad. Partly cloudy, so the sun isn’t killing me. I rode in front with His Eminence, and Fr. Paul behind, helping to translate as necessary. His Eminence speaks English fairly well, but he’s only been in New Zealand a year or so, and he’s still getting...
Post 3 – Sunday in Tonga
His Eminence Metropolitan Myron officiated the Divine Liturgy this morning, and I helped Fr. Paul with the singing. About a dozen local Tongan people came to the service. Afterwards His Eminence and Fr. Meletios spoke with the small congregation a bit about the Church...
