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Arusha Archdiocese · Iringa

Annunciation of the Mother of God Orthodox Parish

Ipwasi

Ipwasi · Iringa Region · Tanzania

Welcome to Annunciation of the Mother of God in Ipwasi. We gather for worship, share the Orthodox faith and care for one another in the life of our community.

Parish photograph — Annunciation of the Mother of God Annunciation of the Mother of GodIpwasi · Parish photograph
Annunciation of the Mother of God · Ipwasi

Life in the parish

Faith lived together.

Worship, volunteer service and a churchyard water project appear in the mission’s 2026 accounts from Ipoasi.

Feasts and the work of parish volunteers

The September 2026 report of the Nativity of the Theotokos identifies the Divine Liturgy at Annunciation church in Ipoasi. Priests serving in the Iringa district celebrated, men and women volunteers chanted, and other volunteers prepared the meal that followed.

An earlier account of the Annunciation also records a fellowship meal at the Ipoasi church. These reports show the community through several contributions: clergy serving the Liturgy, people supporting the chanting, food preparation and hospitality.

Sources: The Nativity of the Theotokos in the Heart of Africa · The Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in the Mission of Central Tanzania

A water point in the church courtyard

In May 2026 the mission partner reported a borehole completed in the courtyard of the Annunciation church. The account describes its purpose as providing drinking water for surrounding residents. This gives a practical setting to the parish’s relationship with its neighbours, alongside its worshipping life.

Sources: Clean water for the residents of Ipoasi village

The Annunciation

The name recalls Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she would bear Jesus, and her response in faith to God’s will. Luke 1:26–38 places this event at the beginning of the Gospel’s account of Christ’s coming among us. It is the dedication of the Ipoasi church, distinct from the church of the same name in Arusha.

Sources: Luke 1:26–38

Sources and further reading

Our village

Ipwasi

Annunciation of the Mother of God is based in Ipwasi, in Iringa Region. The parish is part of the Orthodox Archdiocese of Arusha and Central Tanzania.

The Archdiocese in TanzaniaEight regions of the Archdiocese are highlighted within Tanzania. Regional boundaries: Tanzania NBS / UN OCHA ROSA, via geoBoundaries (2018). CC BY 3.0 IGO. Archdiocesan regions highlighted.DodomaArushaKilimanjaroTangaMorogoroPwaniDar-es-salaamLindiMtwaraRuvumaIringaMbeyaSingidaTaboraRukwaKigomaShinyangaKageraMwanzaMaraManyaraNjombeKataviSimiyuGeitaSongweKaskazini UngujaKusini UngujaMjini MagharibiKaskazini PembaKusini PembaArushaKilimanjaroManyaraSingidaDodomaIringaNjombeMbeya
Archdiocesan territoryRegions with recorded parishes

Iringa Region

This parish’s region

Parish
Annunciation of the Mother of God
Village or town
Ipwasi
Region
Iringa

The map shows the Archdiocese’s eight regions. Village locations and directions to individual churches are managed separately.

Our patron and dedication

Annunciation of the Mother of God

The dedication of Annunciation of the Mother of God belongs to the worship and spiritual life of the parish, joining this community to the faith and prayer of the Orthodox Church.

Parish priest

Fr. Theodhoros Chavala

Worship & visiting

You are welcome here.

Whether you are Orthodox, returning to Church or visiting for the first time, you are welcome to get in touch and discover parish life.

Contact the parish to confirm the next service before travelling.

Parish reports and photograph sources

Share in parish life

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Ipwasi

Share in the life of this parish. Choose how you would like to help, and the Metropolitan’s office will guide you through the next steps.

Lighted candles in an Orthodox church

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A shared meal with the parish community at Saint Barnabas in Uenda

Feast-day hospitality

Help with a shared meal and hospitality for the parish feast.

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Lighted taper candles and a cross in an Orthodox church

Church repairs and utilities

Help with upkeep, water, electricity and church supplies, including candles, wine and flour.

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Children with exercise books and learning materials in a classroom in Mkobe

Children’s education

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All support is received and coordinated through the Metropolitan’s office, for the parish and purpose you choose.

About these photographs

Photographs illustrate parish and mission life across the Archdiocese: a shared meal in Uenda and children with school materials in Mkobe. Orthodox candle photograph by Spacekid, CC0 public-domain dedication.

An enquiry to the Metropolitan’s office

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