Divine Liturgy celebrated in Ghana for the first time in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church

DECR Communication Service, 09/10/2026

With the blessing of Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa, Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Priest George Maximov, Chairman of the Missionary Department of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, visited Ghana.

On 4^th October 2026, 18^th Sunday after Pentecost, Rev. George Maximov celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Ghana, for the first time in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church. Among those who attended the service were Mr A.E. Ordash, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Ghana, and Mr Milutin Stanojević, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Serbia to the Republic of Ghana, as well as members of staff of the Russian diplomatic mission and Russian compatriots. The Liturgy was followed by a rite of the blessing of water and a memorial litiya. Those who attended the divine service could go to confession and partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, as well as pray for their departed relatives and friends and receive holy water.

The day before, Father George had administered the Sacrament of Baptism to a female citizen of Russia residing in Ghana.

The priest’s visit took place in response of a request from the children of the Russian Orthodox Church living in Ghana.

After the service, Father George invoked God’s blessing upon the worshippers and assured them that the local faithful would continue to receive pastoral guidance and care. He also thanked the head of the Russian House in Accra for providing the premises for the Liturgy.

Later that day, the priest performed the rite of blessing the Russian House, website of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa reports.

Ambassador A.E. Ordash pointed out that the Liturgy celebrated that day in Accra could become a first step towards establishing a permanent parish of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ghana. “It was the first Divine Liturgy in the history of the country celebrated by a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church, marking a cornerstone that in future can serve as the foundation for the Russian Orthodox parish here, in the territory of Ghana,” he said. As the Russian diplomat also emphasised, the establishment of an Orthodox Christian community will allow to consolidate compatriots who live in Ghana and profess the Orthodox faith. He added that the Orthodox community development would be of humanitarian importance. According to the Russian Ambassador, it is yet another bridge connecting the peoples of Ghana and Russia, since Christians constitute the majority of population in both countries.

The Serbian Ambassador, who attended the Liturgy with his spouse and representatives of the local Serbian community, also pointed out the importance of the service, saying: “I hope that these occasions will take place on a permanent basis, resulting, perhaps, in the establishment of a church, because there is a community here, and it needs the word of God.”

Photos by African Initiative News Agency

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Divine Liturgy celebrated in Ghana for the first time in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons