From April 17 to 21, 2026, with the blessing of Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov), Secretary of the DECR for Inter-Christian Relations, visited the Republic of Sudan.
This was the first visit to the country by representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The trip took place at the invitation of the Coptic Church and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Sudan.
On April 17, at the bishop’s residence in the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos in Port Sudan, Hieromonk Stefan met with the hierarchs of the Coptic Church: Metropolitan Elia of Khartoum and South Sudan and Metropolitan Sarabamon of Atbara, Omdurman & North Sudan, who warmly testified to their love for the Russian Orthodox Church and expressed their joy at the opportunity to develop bilateral cooperation.
The meeting was attended by A.G. Chernovol, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Sudan; Father Besada Bushara, rector of the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos; and staff members of the Russian diplomatic mission.
On April 19, during the Week of St. Thomas the Apostle, Father Stefan celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Most Holy Mother of God in Port Sudan, during which A.G. Chernovol, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to the Republic of Sudan, and Russian compatriots residing in the country prayed and received Holy Communion.
On the same day, Hieromonk Stefan and A.G. Chernovol met with Malik Agar, Vice President of the Republic of Sudan. During the meeting, issues concerning Russian-Sudanese cooperation in various fields were discussed.
The parties noted that the first visit of a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church to Sudan would contribute to the development of interfaith relations and the strengthening of the historic friendship and solidarity between the peoples of Russia and Sudan.
On April 21, at Port Sudan Airport, the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church was seen off by Muawiya Osman Khaled, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan, and A.G. Chernovol, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Sudan.
Translation: Patriarchal exarchate of Africa
