On 12 January 2025, in the the 29th Sunday after Pentecost, after the Nativity of Christ, the day of commemoration of the Righteous Joseph the Betrothed, David the King and James the Brother of the Lord, Metropolitan Constantine of Zaraisk, Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, celebrated Matins and the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of St. Sergius of Radonezh of the Diocese of South Africa in Johannesburg.
His Eminence was served by Archpriest Daniel Lugovoi, rector of the cathedral, dean of the parishes of the South African Diocese in South Africa, Priest George Maximov, chairman of the Missionary Department of the Exarchate, Priest Nicholas Esterhuizen, rector of the Church of St John of the Ladder in Cape Town, and Deacon Stephen Hayes, who the previous day had joined to the Russian Orthodox Church.
The service was attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of South Africa R.E. Ambarov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to South Africa I.G. Bely, parishioners from Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town and guests of the cathedral.
The service was conducted in Church Slavonic and English.
At the end of Matins, Metropolitan Constantine introduced Deacon Stephen Hayes to the clergy and parishioners and presented him with a decree on his enrolment in the clergy of the Diocese of South Africa and St Sergius Cathedral.
The exarch also awarded Priest Nicholas Esterhuizen the right to wear an epigonation.
Before the Liturgy, the Hierarch celebrated the chirothesis of Isaac Sifuba as a reader and subdeacon.
After the Eucharistic Canon, the Bishop ordained subdeacon Isaac to the rank of deacon.
Deacon Isaac underwent a year-long training course. He had a number of interviews with Metropolitan Constantine, Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, and in December he passed his exam.
At the end of the Liturgy, Archpriest Daniel Lugovoy welcomed Metropolitan Constantine, noting that a year ago the first archpastoral visit to South Africa took place; this time has borne its fruit - the clergy of the South African deanery is multiplying.
Then Metropolitan Constantine welcomed the audience and congratulated them on the Feast of the Nativity of Christ.
The Bishop presented Deacon Isaac Sifuba with a decree of enrolment in the clergy of the Church of St John of the Ladder in Cape Town and congratulated everyone on the newly ordained clergyman.
After that, a children's Christmas party was held in the parish centre: the Sunday school performed a bright play, the children were congratulated by Father Frost and Snow Maiden, after a merry round dance, everyone received a present, and events from the life of St. Nicholas unfolded on the streets of the gingerbread town.
Metropolitan Constantine presented gifts to the young participants, followed by a joint meal.
Русский 
English (South Africa)