On 9 February 2010, a formal reception was held at the Russian embassy in South Africa to commemorate ‘Diplomatic Workers’ Day’. The parish rector, Fr Daniel Lugovoy, took part in the event and on behalf of the parish, heartily greeted the ambassador Mr Anatoly Anatolevich Makarov and all his colleagues at the embassy on their professional holiday, wishing them God’s blessing, success and help in their work.

‘Diplomatic Workers’ Day’ was established as a professional holiday on the 31st of October 2002 by a Decree of the President of the Russian Federation to commemorate the 200-year jubilee of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is celebrated on the 10th of February. The choice of date is not arbitrary – in fact, it was exactly on that day in 1549 that the first Foreign Affairs agency was established in Muscovite Russ by Tsar Ivan the Terrible. The ministry’s first head was a Mr I.M. Viskovaty, who was “ordered to perform ambassadorial duties”.