Visit of Deans of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa to Russia concludes

DECR Communication service, 01.09.2025.

Fr om August 21 to 29, 2025, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', a pilgrimage to Russia was made by thirty deans and senior priests representing 22 countries under the pastoral responsibility of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

The clergy met with His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' and concelebrated with His Holiness on the eve of the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos at the All-Night Vigil in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. They also participated in the first church-practical conference of deans of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa and a press conference dedicated to the mission of the Russian Orthodox Church. Additionally, the priests took part in services at churches in the capital, in meetings with Metropolitan Konstantin and pastoral gatherings, and visited holy sites, churches, and monasteries on guided tours.

The delegation included the Vicar of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, Bishop Euthymius of Lukhovitsy; deans of church districts in South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Malawi, the Central African Republic, Rwanda, Madagascar, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso, as well as clergy of the Exarchate in Angola, Gabon, Zambia, and Mauritius, reports to the Exarchate’s website.

On August 21, the delegation was welcomed at the Danilovskaya Hotel by Metropolitan Konstantin. His Eminence greeted the clergy and held a general meeting.

On August 22, 25, and 26, a church-practical conference was held. On the first day, reports were presented by Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa, Chairman of the Exarchate’s Missionary Department Priest Georgy Maksimov, Exarchate Assistant for Religious Education and Catechesis Protopriest Tigriy Khachatryan, Rector of the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity on Vorobyovy Hills Archpriest Andrey Novikov, and Cleric of the Petrozavodsk Diocese Priest Stanislav Rasputin. A speech was also given by Archimandrite Vasily (Pasquiet), Abbot of the Holy Trinity Monastery in Cheboksary.

On the second day of the conference, reports were delivered by Bishop Euthymius, Vicar of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, and deans and senior priests of the North African and South African dioceses. A total of 30 reports were presented.

On the final day of the conference, a master class on promoting church content on social media was held, organized by the team of the RT television channel. This was followed by a seminar wh ere presentations were made by the Exarchate’s assistants for educational activities: Protopriest Tigriy Khachatryan, Priest Anatoly Trushin, and Deacon Georgy Yurenko.

On August 23, the delegation of deanery superiors visited the Red Square, the cathedrals of the Moscow Kremlin, and the Nativity of the Theotokos, Sretensky, and Danilov monasteries on guided tours.

In the evening, on the eve of the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa celebrated the All-Night Vigil at the Church of the Resurrection of the Word in Danilovskaya Sloboda, Moscow. He was concelebrated by Bishop Euthymius of Lukhovitsy and other members of the delegation of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

On the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, a pilgrimage was made to the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. At the Dormition Cathedral of the monastery, Bishop Kirill of Sergiyev Posad and Dmitrov, Abbot of the Holy Trinity Lavra, led the Divine Liturgy, concelebrated by Metropolitan Konstantin, Bishop Euthymius, Exarchate staff in holy orders, brethren of the monastery, and African clergy.

That same day, a meeting between African clergy and Bishop Kirill was held in the small assembly hall of the Moscow Theological Academy, followed by a guided tour of the monastery.

On August 26, a press conference titled "The Russian Orthodox Church in African Countries: Mission and Development Plans" was held at TASS. Questions from journalists were answered by Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa; Archimandrite Philaret (Kimaro), Dean of the Central Church District in Tanzania; Priest Titus Kipngeni, Dean of the Nandi Church District in Kenya; Priest Sergius Voemava, Dean of the Central African Church District (CAR); Priest Parthenius Dansu, Dean of the West African Church District (Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso); and Priest Nicolas Ramarosun Bruno, Dean of the Southern Church District of Madagascar.

On August 27, in the Patriarchal Hall of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' received the delegation of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, led by Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa.

The meeting was attended by Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate; Bishop Alexy of Ramenskoye, Personal Secretary of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill; Archpriest Nikolay Balashov, Advisor to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'; Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, Deputy Chairman of the DECR; and members of the delegation of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa: Priest Georgy Maksimov, Chairman of the Exarchate’s Missionary Department; Protopriest Tigriy Khachatryan, Exarchate Assistant for Religious Education and Catechesis; and deans of church districts of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

At the beginning of the meeting, Metropolitan Konstantin addressed the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church with a welcoming speech.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill then delivered a Primatial address and provided detailed answers to questions from the African clergy.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the First Hierarch presented church awards to the clergy of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa. In recognition of diligent archpastoral labors, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill awarded Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa with a Patriarchal commemorative cross and panagia. With the blessing of His Holiness, a number of clergy from the North African and South African dioceses of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa were granted signs of Patriarchal attention and liturgical-hierarchical awards for their zealous service to the Holy Church.

In the evening, on the eve of the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill celebrated the All-Night Vigil at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. Among those concelebrating with His Holiness were Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa and members of the delegation of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa. The service was attended by the ambassadors of Benin, the CAR, and Burundi to Russia, as well as representatives of the embassies of Côte d'Ivoire, South Africa, Rwanda, Angola, and Madagascar.

On the Feast of the Dormition of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, Patriarchal Exarch of Africa Metropolitan Konstantin celebrated the Liturgy at the Church of St. Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow, in Meshchanskaya Sloboda, Moscow. He was concelebrated by Priest Georgy Maksimov; Protopriest Tigriy Khachatryan; Priest Alexander Karzan, Consultant of the Department for External Church Relations; deans of church districts of the North African and South African dioceses; and clergy of the church.

On August 29, the pilgrimage concluded. At the Danilovskaya Hotel, Metropolitan Konstantin warmly bid farewell to the African clergy, offered parting words, and bestowed upon them his archpastoral blessing.