The Patriarchal Exarch of Africa has celebrated a Liturgy in Zimbabwe for the first time

On Friday, 17 April 2026, during Bright Week, the feast of the Life-Giving Source Icon of the Mother of God, the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Constantinos of Cairo and North Africa, celebrated Divine Liturgy in Zimbabwe for the first time.

The worship service was held in the congregation in the country's capital city, Harare.

His Eminence was concelebrated by the dean of parishes in South Africa and rector of St Sergius Cathedral in Johannesburg, Archpriest Daniel Lugovoy, and a cleric of the South African Diocese in Malawi, Priest Sava Kajawa, who ministers to this community.

The religious service was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Malawi, by concurrent accreditation, N.V. Krasilnikov, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Zimbabwe, Yu.V. Nikolaychik, staff from the Russian embassy, and local residents.

The liturgy was served in English, Church Slavonic, Shona and Chichewa.

After the service, Metropolitan Konstantin consecrated the water, after which he delivered a pastoral address.

Next, the Ambassador of Russia, N.V. Krasilnikov, and the Ambassador of Belarus, Yu.V. Nikolaichik, addressed everyone present with welcoming words.

To conclude, the archpastor presented all those present with decorative Easter eggs.

Yesterday, the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Constantine of Cairo and North Africa, visited the community of St. Sergius of Radonezh in the suburb of the Zimbabwean capital, Waterfalls.

The bishop was accompanied by the dean of the parishes in South Africa and rector of St Sergius Cathedral in Johannesburg, Archpriest Daniil Lugovoy, and a cleric of the South African Diocese in Malawi, Priest Savva Kajawa, who ministers to this community.

The Patriarch communicated with the faithful, congratulated everyone on the great feast of Christ's Easter, and sang the Paschal Hours.

The Exarch gifted the community an icon of the Saviour, and all those present were given pectoral crosses and small icons as tokens of remembrance.