Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa Holds First Church-Practical Conference for Deans in Moscow

OCP News Service – 23/07/2025

Moscow- Russia: The first church-practical conference for deans of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa opened on August 22, 2025, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’. The event, hosted at the Danilovskaya Hotel, brought together over 30 deans and senior priests from 22 countries to discuss the challenges and opportunities of pastoral ministry in Africa.

The conference was led by the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Constantine of Cairo and North Africa, who delivered an opening speech and a report titled “Questions of Pastoral Theology in Application to African Realities.” The two-day event will continue on August 25 and 26.

Arrival and Program The delegation of clergy began their visit to Russia on August 21, 2025, and were greeted by Metropolitan Constantine at the Danilovskaya Hotel. In addition to the conference, the deans are scheduled to visit Orthodox shrines in Moscow and participate in various divine services. On August 26, a press conference will be held at TASS to discuss the activities of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

Key Participants and Topics The conference features presentations from experienced missionary priests, including:

• Priest Georgy Maksimov, Chairman of the Missionary Department of the Exarchate.
• Archpriest Tigry Khachatryan, Assistant to the Patriarchal Exarch for religious education and catechesis.
• Archpriest Andrei Novikov, Rector of the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity on Vorobyovy Gory.
• Priest Stanislav Rasputin, a cleric of the Petrozavodsk diocese.

The abbot of the Holy Trinity Monastery in Cheboksary, Archimandrite Vasily (Pasquier), also delivered a welcoming speech. The discussions covered a wide range of issues related to the Patriarchal Exarchate’s work, including pastoral ministry and mission in modern contexts.

The delegation represents a vast geographic area, including deans from South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and many other countries. The presence of Bishop Euthymius of Lukhovitsky, Vicar of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, also highlights the significance of the event.

Source:

OCP News Service