Department for External Church Relations
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The Rector and parishioners of Russian Orthodox Church communities in Morocco took part in the 20th National Conference of Compatriots
DECR Communication Service, 05.02.2026.
On January 31, 2026, the 20th national conference of Russian compatriots, dedicated to the theme “The Russian Trace in Morocco,” was held at the Russian Center for Science and Culture in the capital of Morocco, Rabat.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Consul General of Russia in Casablanca, D.M. Mezhaourov; the Head of the Rossotrudnichestvo Representative Office, V.P. Sokolov; as well as representatives of the Russian Embassy and the World Coordinating Council of Russian Compatriots, according to the website of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.
Next year, the Orthodox community of Morocco is preparing to mark two important dates: the 100th anniversary of the Russian Orthodox parish and the 75th anniversary of the repose of its founder, the ever-memorable Archimandrite Varsonofy (Tolstukhin). Archpriest Maksim Massalitin, rector of the Church of the Resurrection in Rabat, presented a report entitled “The Ship of Salvation of the Russian Community in Morocco and Its First Helmsman, Archimandrite Varsonofy (Tolstukhin).” The priest spoke about the life path of Father Varsonofy, a former monk of the Valaam Monastery, who became the organizer of the Russian Orthodox parish in Morocco.
Archimandrite Varsonofy united compatriots around the Orthodox Church, organized parish life, and oversaw the construction of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Rabat. He also cared for Orthodox believers in other cities of Morocco. With his participation, the Holy Trinity Church in Khouribga, the St. Sergius Chapel in Marrakesh, the Dormition Church in Casablanca, and house churches in Kenitra and Tangier were opened. Divine services were also celebrated in Fez and Meknes.
Photos by Alexander Grishin
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