On October 21, Metropolitan Konstantin of Zaraisk, Patriarchal Exarch for Africa, arrived in Lomé, the capital of the Togolese Republic.
He was met at the airport by H.E. Igor Yevdokimov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Benin and the Togolese Republic.
On October 22, the commemoration day of St. Jacob Alfeyev the Apostle, Metropolitan Konstantin celebrated Divine Liturgy at the parish of hieromartyr Ephraim, the Miracleworker of Nea Makri, in the suburbs of the capital city. He was assisted by Rev. Georgy Maksimov, chairman of the Exarchate’s Missionary Department, Rev. Parthenius Dansou, dean of the Exarchate’s parishes in Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Benin and Togo, and Rev. Boris Pitasso, rector of the parish.
Before the service, the hierarch baptized two local residents who had been catechized by Fr. Boris, the website of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa reports.
At the end of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Konstantin delivered an archpastoral homily and presented the parish with an icon of the Most Holy Mother of God. All the worshippers received crosses and small icons as a gift.
The divine service being over, the hierarch held a working meeting with priests Georgy, Parthenius, and Boris.
That same day in the evening, Metropolitan Konstantin met with Ambassador Yevdokimov at the Embassy of the Russian Federation. During the talk, they discussed issues pertaining to the development of the Russian Orthodox Church’s mission in the country.
Patriarchal exarchate of Africa
Translation: DECR Communication service
