On October 21, Metropolitan Konstantin of Zaraisk, Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, celebrated Divine Liturgy at the parish of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Among those concelebrating with the archpastor were 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, Rev. Alexander Ebre, rector of the parish, and Rev. Daniel Brou.
The Liturgy was attended by H.E. Alexey Saltykov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.
Before the service, Metropolitan Konstantin baptized two local residents.
After that, he ordained Stephan Zaibo Jannick as reader and subdeacon. During the Liturgy, the hierarch elevated Stephen from subdeacon to deacon.
At the end of the divine service, Metropolitan Konstantin addressed those present with an archpastoral homily and presented the parish with an icon of the Savior. All the worshipers received small icons and crosses.
The Exarchate’s website reports that on this day the hierarch presided over a meeting of the clergy serving in the country. Discussed was the arrangement of parish life in the country, as well as the development of mission and the pastoral care of believers.
Patriarchal exarchate of Africa
Translation: DECR Communication service
