Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
THOUSANDS of Johane Marange pilgrims from around the globe converged at their sacred Mafararikwa Shrine in Bocha for the annual Passover — one of the largest religious gatherings in the country that serves to confirm the endorsement of its new leader — High Priest Mutumwa Nimrod Taguta.
St Nimrod was ordained after the death of his father, St Noah in 2022, amid fears that the church could split as factions might align with certain leaders depending on what they stand to benefit if their preferred candidate assumes the throne.
St Nimrod is the real deal, given the unwavering support and backing from senior members who worked closely with his late father.
Congregants believe St Nimrod is led by the Holy Spirit to lead the church, nurture and restore good health and quality of life, particularly of those who faithfully and strictly observe the religious tenets, teachings and regulations of the church.
The Holy Spirit is regarded as the source of spiritual revelation, prophecy, healing and protection and without it, there is no church.
It serves as the divine force that guides the church, and equips prophets and some church members with special healing powers.
The Mafararikwa shrine, known as the ‘holy shrine’, is often the most memorable for pilgrims, who stand shoulder to shoulder and feet to feet, asking God for mercy, blessings, prosperity and good health.
President Mnangagwa shares a lighter moment with Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister, Tino Machakaire (right), Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza (far right) and Mutare West legislator, Honourable Nyasha Marange during the Johane Marange annual Passover gathering at Mafararikwa Shrine in Marange last Saturday
President Mnangagwa attended the Passover service last Saturday.
Though this year’s pilgrimage took place against the harrowing backdrop of the El Nino-induced drought, still the numbers do not lie.
For 17 days, the ‘holy shrine’ was home to thousands of pilgrims!
Secured with high walls and a gate that has the inscription: ‘St John Marange Holy of Holies Temple Apostle Church Bocha Passca’, the ‘holy shrine’ is a world on its own.
We take a closer look!
The hyperactivity at the main entrance is a microcosm of what is inside.
It was 10.30am on a peculiar Saturday, and President Mnangagwa was expected to touch base around 11.30am.
Vehicles were up and down, ferrying people to the ‘holy shrine’.
A number of friendly elders manned the main entrance, vetting the vehicles, searching occupants and confiscating any food items containing yeast and sweets.
Everyone, with the exception of uniformed security forces, is supposed to enter the shrine barefoot. More elders were positioned at successive gates inside the ‘holy shrine’.
The searches were rigorous!
As you pass through the gates, hundreds of cars of different makes were cordoned off in several parking lots.
Another peculiarity is that members dress in white garments for church services, which symbolically represents purity, light and cleanliness.
They do not wear anything black.
Both men and women were clean shaven as a sign of religious commitment to God and a symbol of separation from the world.
Johane Marange Church leader, High Priest Nimrod Taguta leads the pilgrims in song
The pilgrims believe that demons and evil spirits reside in hair, and being clean shaven is a way of getting rid of such spirits.
Head shaving also represents discipline, self-control and repression of worldly desires.
Men are also encouraged to keep long beards, interpreted as a sign of moral authority, reminiscent of the tradition of the Jewish patriarchs.
As the clock ticks, the ‘holy ground’ started swelling as lines of congregants clad in white garments waited in the scorching sun for the service to begin.
They were separated by sex.
Women, who appear to be the majority of members in the church, sat on their own side, donning white long garments with covered heads.
Men are not allowed to engage in direct conversations with young girls and women, lest they be disciplined accordingly.
Men were seated on the opposite side, while enjoying the church music, popularly known as Hakirosi.
This is a unique kind of singing believed to be heavenly.
What a joy to listen to!
The music is thought to be angelic singing.
The songs are dubbed very spiritual, though outsiders hardly understand them.
Among lead singers were Major Chapinga, Elijah Machodo, and MRP Leib Umah Conorio Momberume.
They command awesome voices.
At 2pm, St Nimrod emerged from the main house to signify the start of the church service.
He was surrounded by a group of the church’s high command. He took his seat briefly, and President Mnangagwa and his delegation followed.
Moments later, St Nimrod rose to lead the church in song and prayer, following which 12 preachers and singers took to the podium.
Due to the large numbers of attendees and his diminutive stature, some could hardly see him.
“I am so happy to see St Nimrod today,” said Mr Nyaradzo Muzondo.
Another congregant, Mr Ngoni Munanzvu likened the ‘holy shrine’ to Jerusalem.
“We are at Jerusalem here in Bocha, and this is a great day in our life. God is showing His hand to His children through his servant. We want St Nimrod to bless us,” said Mr Munanzvu.
The church has greatly transformed and moving along with times and technology.
Defence Minister, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (right) and Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister, Honourable Angeline Gata follow proceedings at the annual Passover gathering
It has a fully-fledged media team that captures proceedings on camera and broadcast snippets on social media platforms for the benefit of those across the globe to worship along.
Mr Eriah Zhuao, a preacher from Angola said their church is the best in the world.
“This is the only church that will lead us to heaven. St Nimrod ndiMambo. This is our church, I would like to thank my father who brought me up in this church, surely God should bless Africa. Repent, the kingdom of Heaven is near. I love my church. I am part of this church. Munaro simba Mambo Jeso! St Nimrod is Jesus My Saviour! Amen Lord Jesus Christ! This is time to be born again don’t waste your time.
“This is heavenly worshipping, and there is no question St Nimrod was God-sent,” he said.
President Mnangagwa revealed his spiritual side, telling the gathering that he constantly seeks God’s guidance in discharging his duties.
He said leaders should abide by God’s principles, as governance without the Almighty’s guidance is doomed.
“If you are a leader who decides to be distant from God, you will fail. Be close to God. I always make sure to seek God’s blessings upon my life. I believe that one cannot be a leader if the Lord has not anointed them. I come to God’s servants like St Nimrod because I know they intercede for me so that I can receive bountiful blessings from the Almighty. Those blessings allow me to be a leader and they give me more years to live,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said Johane Marange Apostolic Church holds a special place in his heart, as he had to cut short his trip to Mozambique last Friday to ensure that he attended the Passover.
“I was in Mozambique on Friday for an important engagement with my colleagues — Presidents (Mokgweetsi) Masisi and (Filipe) Nyusi from Botswana and Mozambique (respectively). I left them both in Mozambique after our meeting. I wanted to make sure that I did not miss this Passover,” he said, pledging to attend future Passovers.
“I will continue to come and receive blessings from you and support the work you are doing as a church. I was here last year, and I pray that God gives me more years to continue coming here. I know that some who were here with us did not make it this year for various reasons. That is why I consider it a blessing to be here. I want to thank St Nimrod for inviting me. I respect church leaders. As a President, I lead human beings, who are people of the flesh. He is a leader of spiritual beings. Human beings die but spiritual life lasts longer.
“So, you can see who the bigger leader is here and why I respect the church,” said President Mnangagwa.
The church’s local and foreign preachers praised President Mnangagwa for his humility and leadership.
Mr Isaac Makurumidze said they were humbled by President Mnangagwa’s presence and his support to the church.
“This Passover is our signature ceremony that we hold every year from July 1 to July 17. Every member of the church is obliged to attend, and most have to skip work and other duties to be here. Your presence, therefore, underscores that you also highly respect our church’s doctrine,” he said.
The event was also attended by several Cabinet ministers and senior Government officials.
Church members believe St Nimrod received the church’s charter, its rules and practices through the Holy Spirit.
The church has strict obligations for the Sabbath Day, and members are not allowed to work or handle money or cook on that day in line with the Jewish sabbatical laws in the Bible.
