Saints Peter and Paul Patron icon

Arusha Archdiocese · Iringa

Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Parish

Matalawe

Matalawe · Iringa Region · Tanzania

Welcome to Saints Peter and Paul in Matalawe. We gather for worship, share the Orthodox faith and care for one another in the life of our community.

The congregation worshipping beneath a thatched shelter in Matalawe
The congregation worshipping beneath a thatched shelter in Matalawe. Source / credit · Missionary Shelter of Saint Dionysios of Olympus; supplied source collection

Life in the parish

Faith lived together.

The community’s worship and catechesis beneath a thatched shelter provide the starting point for a proposed permanent church.

A bishop in vestments reading during liturgy beneath a temporary shelter.
A bishop in vestments reading during liturgy beneath a temporary shelter.

The community beneath the shelter

The July 2026 mission report describes the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul being celebrated in Matalawe under a thatched shelter. The structure was being used for the Divine Liturgy, catechetical teaching and community gatherings.

The account places the existing faithful before the building proposal. The community is already gathering in prayer and learning the faith, and seeks a more permanent place in which that life can continue.

Sources: The feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul celebrated in a thatched hut in Central Tanzania – An appeal for the construction of a new Orthodox Church

The intended church of Saints Peter and Paul

The same report sets out an intention to construct a permanent church dedicated to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul on that site, dependent on securing the necessary support. It notes the community’s willingness to contribute labour, while describing limited financial means.

The permanent church is a proposed next step for this community. Its project page follows the plan and the support being sought.

Sources: The feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul celebrated in a thatched hut in Central Tanzania – An appeal for the construction of a new Orthodox Church

Sources and further reading

Our village

Matalawe

Saints Peter and Paul is based in Matalawe, 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
Saints Peter and Paul
Village or town
Matalawe
Region
Iringa

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

Our patron and dedication

Saints Peter and Paul

The dedication of Saints Peter and Paul 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. Theologos Sanga

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

Support Saints Peter and Paul Parish

Matalawe

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.

The congregation worshipping beneath a thatched shelter in Matalawe

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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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