If there is anything you could make of the physical relevance of the white garment church in a choice location like Victoria Island area of Lagos, Nigeria, some decades ago, what easily comes to mind is our regular visit to the popular bar beach; part of which was reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean and now known to be Eko Atlantic City.
This is an impression that had been planted in the mind of naysayers as part of what can be identified with the white garment church at any given time. Recall that the sight of the Victoria Island bar beach during those years was such that boasts of a bee-hive of activities, as it used to be littered with fun seekers. It was also relatively known to be a regular go-to location for special prayers by our white garment brethren.
During the time of our father, St. Moses Orimolade Tunolase, the gathering of Seraphs at the shores of the beach was attractive with records of miracles, signs, and wonders. But as time evolved, the goodwill we earned as a result of that started to wane, and soon got marred with controversies in the public space.
This followed the infiltration of fake prophets parading as members of the church. They took undue advantage of unsuspecting members and non members of the fold who sought spiritual help. Some of them later turned the place to their permanent abode while they lurked around daily looking for who to devour.
This was a serious image issue the church had to deal with, over time, even as little could be done to get rid of them. This hasn’t changed the fact that the beach remains a regular location for prayers by Seraphs with sincere purposes.
Fast forward to this day, a gigantic edifice that bears the name of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church is erected by the same beach side. A structure that prides in sophistication and matchless beauty. And not only has it become a cynosure of all eyes, it has also turned to a Jerusalem of sort, attracting both the high and mighty in the society over the last couple of months.
Meanwhile, this may have just supplanted whatever negative impression anyone once had about the C&S church around that location. This is the same beachfront where we were once despised; where we were ridiculed while we donned our garments. The same location some people looked down on us like we were going to remain pauperized by our regular beachside religious activities. A place where having a cathedral of such magnitude could at best be wildly imagined.
What we have now is a testament to what the Book of Isaiah 60 vs 15 says, when God told His prophet that He would make His people an everlasting pride and the joy of all generations where they were once forsaken. If this was a vision, probably written in one of our vision books, for an appointed time, then the time is now.
According to oral tradition, Baba Orimolade, reportedly prayed for ailing Queen Elizabeth who was far away in England, and she got healed. As he was also said to have rejected the reward offered to him as a result of the miracle, only Baba could tell if he had, by then, foresaw that an ark-like structure would sail from the same Queen’s land where Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi had lived for years, and graciously berth at its current location, courtesy of the female cleric. After all, an aerial view of the cathedral looks much like an ark.
This piece does not seek to preach Church but only captures the essence of time and the fulfillment of God’s divine plans for we the generation of Israel in Africa. Equally, this reflects on the incredible show of love, respect, and affection that the C&S Church now enjoys from those who ordinarily would not have identified with the church. It is also a welcome development, as some could come out of the blues to proudly lay claim to having a C&S background. Well, the earlier they quickly dust off their long-abandoned white garment, the better, because more of these facelifting developments are still coming, and will be carried out by Seraphs.
Mother Esther Ajayi will be joined by dignitaries from all over the world tomorrow, September 5, to dedicate the Love of Christ ultra-modern cathedral. This is a pride not for her alone, but for everyone that bears a name with the C&S church. You can also get updates on Acts of Seraphs.
Seraph Dayo Oyewo; Publisher Acts of Seraphs
Seraph Dayo Oyewo. A Journalist/Social Entrepreneur. He loves meeting new people. Favourite Hymn: Ji Okan mi dide layo
