From August 12 to 24, 2026, Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa, the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, made a visit to Kenya. The hierarch was accompanied by Priest George Maximov, chairman of the Missionary Department of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, and his personal secretary, Reader V.V. Dendyuk.
The Exarch presided over divine services at parishes in nine deaneries across Kenya, performed the rite of minor consecration for three churches in the deaneries of Vihiga, Nandi, and Migori, and consecrated the cornerstone for six future churches as well as for the construction of a new school building. Two clean-water fountains were consecrated, and the progress of construction on four more churches, as well as on the under-construction and completed buildings of the orphanage and schools, was inspected. In addition, in the Nyeri Deanery, Metropolitan Konstantin visited the construction site of the first clinic of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa. The project, implemented with the assistance of the Foundation for the Support of Christian Culture and Heritage, marks the beginning of the Russian Orthodox Church’s activities in the field of healthcare on the African continent.
During his stay in Kenya, the archpastor ordained a candidate from Côte d’Ivoire to the diaconate and priesthood, received a priest from the Orthodox Church of Alexandria into the Russian Orthodox Church, performed the sacrament of Baptism for twenty local residents, and received five more people into Orthodoxy through the sacrament of Chrismation.
In all deaneries, Metropolitan Konstantin held pastoral meetings and interviews with candidates for seminary studies, and presented icons and liturgical vessels to the parishes. All deans in Kenya were gifted motorcycles, cows, and office equipment to assist with their pastoral and daily work.
On August 12, Metropolitan Konstantin consecrated the cornerstone for the Church of St. Sophia the Martyr in the village of Gitima in the Nyeri Deanery. Prior to this, His Eminence baptized eight local residents. Another five were received into Orthodoxy through the sacrament of Chrismation. After the divine service, Metropolitan Konstantin met with catechists who assist the dean in the parishes. The Exarch then inspected the construction of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa’s clinic, which is being built with the support of the Foundation for the Support of Christian Culture and Heritage. Afterward, Metropolitan Konstantin held a general meeting of the clergy of the Nyeri Deanery, during which various issues concerning the Exarchate’s activities in Kenya were discussed.
On August 13, Metropolitan Konstantin celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the parish of St. Gregory the Theologian in the village of Ngarendare (Meru Deanery). After the Liturgy, His Eminence consecrated the cornerstone for the foundation of a new church to be built in honor of St. Gregory the Theologian. The Exarch then visited the parishes of the Nativity of St. John the Forerunner in the village of Gitongo and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the village of Kiambogo. A general meeting of the clergy of the Meru Deanery was held that same day.
On August 14, on the feast of the Exaltation of the Precious Cross of the Lord, Metropolitan Konstantin performed the rite of consecration of the cornerstone for the foundation of the church dedicated to the Apostle James the Son of Alphaeus in the village of Igembe (Meru Deanery). At the parish of St. Athanasius the Great in the village of Antuamwo, in the Ura River, which flows just a few steps from the church, His Eminence performed the sacrament of Baptism for eight people.
On August 15, Metropolitan Konstantin celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Life-Giving Trinity Parish in Naivasha, in the Central Deanery of Kenya. During the Liturgy, Metropolitan Konstantin ordained the candidate Lavrentiy Begra from Côte d’Ivoire as a deacon. After the service, His Eminence personally visited the flood-affected area where parishioners live. Earlier this year, the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa twice provided humanitarian aid to those affected. On the same day, Metropolitan Konstantin visited the Parish of St. Nektarios of Aegina in the village of Nyabini, where the Apostle Barnabas Educational Center is located. At this parish, the Exarch held a general meeting of the clergy of the Central Deanery. To conclude the day, Metropolitan Konstantin visited the parish of the Venerable Mary of Egypt in the village of Mutonora.
On August 16, the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Metropolitan Konstantin celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the parish of the Great Martyr Panteleimon in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. During the Liturgy, Metropolitan Konstantin ordained Deacon Lavrenty Begra from Côte d’Ivoire as a priest. After the service, Metropolitan Konstantin toured the school operating at the parish. Russian Priest Evgeny Ignatov, who participated in the service, delivered humanitarian aid to the school from the “Russian Cross” Charitable Foundation. On the same day, the Exarch performed the rite of consecration of the cornerstone for the foundation of a future church dedicated to the Great Martyr George in the village of Ngamba.
On August 17, Metropolitan Konstantin performed the rite of consecration of the cornerstone for a church dedicated to St. John the Forerunner and the Holy Martyr Alexander (Parusnikov) in Baringo County (Lugari Deanery). Prior to this, His Eminence consecrated a water well constructed with funds from the Fund for the Support of Christian Culture and Heritage and donations from the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, collected through our official website. The Exarch then consecrated a school built with the support of the Russian Orthodox Church at the Parish of the Apostle Paul in the village of Marakusi. On the same day, the Exarch held a general pastoral meeting attended by all the clergy of the deanery, as well as African students from Russian theological schools.
On August 18, Metropolitan Konstantin performed the rite of minor consecration of the church dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian, the Unmercenaries suffered in Rome, in the village of Mulovolo (Vihiga Deanery) and presided over the Divine Liturgy in the newly consecrated church. The Exarch then held a general pastoral meeting attended by all the clergy of the deanery, as well as African seminarians. On the same day, Metropolitan Konstantin inspected the progress of construction on the church dedicated to Saint Cyprian of Carthage in the village of Kapsayon, as well as on the church dedicated to Elijah the Prophet in the village of Kapasianga. The next stop on his visit was the parish of St. Nektarios of Aegina in the village of Buyangu, which operates a children’s educational center.
On August 19, the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, Metropolitan Konstantin celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the parish of the Great Martyr Panteleimon in the village of Ebuyangu (Kakamega Deanery). After the service, His Eminence presented certificates of participation to members of the Union of Orthodox Mothers for the seminar held from August 17 to 19, which was dedicated to the role of women in the Church. Following the service, His Eminence spoke with the assistant rectors and parishioners of the deanery. On the same day, Metropolitan Konstantin visited the parish of the Righteous Prince John Kalita in the village of Essaba, where he inspected the progress of the church’s construction. Then, at the parish of St. Mary of Egypt in the village of Ramula, the hierarch held a general meeting of the deanery’s clergy. To conclude the day, His Eminence visited Father Alexander Otoli, who is suffering from an illness and serves as rector of two parishes in the Kakamega deanery.
On August 20, Metropolitan Konstantin performed the rite of minor consecration of the church dedicated to Saints Constantine and Helena, Equal-to-the-Apostles, in the village of Tivolvo (Nandi Deanery). Prior to this, His Eminence performed the sacrament of Baptism for four children. After the service, Metropolitan Konstantin held a general pastoral meeting. Following the meeting, the Exarch visited the Parish of the Apostle Peter in the village of Ketim. His next stops were the Parish of St. James the Son of Zebedee in the village of Kisarich and the Parish of St. Zosima of Solovki in the village of Chemelil, where he consecrated a water fountain. The drilling and construction of the well were carried out with the assistance of the Foundation for the Support of Christian Culture and Heritage.
On August 21, Metropolitan Konstantin performed the rite of minor consecration of the newly built Church of St. Athanasius the Great in the village of Nyabigega (Migori Deanery). His Eminence then visited the orphanage operating within the parish and inspected the facility’s new building, which was constructed with the assistance of the Foundation for the Support of Christian Culture and Heritage. On the same day, at the parish of the Righteous Prince Alexander Nevsky in the village of Oyani, where a children’s educational center operates, His Eminence consecrated the cornerstone for the foundation of a new school building. Evgeny Ignatov, a cleric of the Yekaterinodar Diocese who was visiting Kenya at the time, delivered humanitarian aid from the “Russian Cross” Charitable Foundation to both schools. At the parish of St. John the Baptist in the village of Manyatta, Metropolitan Konstantin familiarized himself with the progress of construction work and laid a brick in the walls of the future church.
On August 22, in the Migori Deanery, Metropolitan Konstantin held a general meeting of the clergy. The Exarch accepted into the Russian Orthodox Church a cleric who had transferred from the Orthodox Church of Alexandria and spoke with candidates for admission to the seminary. Before the meeting began, His Eminence celebrated a memorial service for the recently departed clergyman of the deanery, Priest Constantine Gao, who died in a traffic accident on August 8. Earlier that morning, Metropolitan Konstantin visited the Parish of the Martyr Philotheus of Samosata in the village of Bvare, where he inspected the progress of the school’s construction. On the same day, His Eminence visited the Parish of the Apostle Barnabas in the village of Aorachuodo, which operates an elementary school. The bishop inspected the new school building, constructed with the support of the Foundation for the Support of Christian Culture and Heritage, as well as the parish farm. At this parish, the exarch also conducted interviews with those wishing to study at the theological seminary.
On August 23, the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Metropolitan Konstantin celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Parish of the Apostle Mark in the village of Sanjweru (Homabey Deanery). After the service, His Eminence held a general pastoral meeting. The archpastor then visited the parishes of the Apostle Barnabas in the village of Kibwer and of St. Nektarios of Aegina in the village of Godkeyo.
To conclude the trip, Metropolitan Konstantin organized the purchase of office equipment for all Kenyan deaneries, necessary for their daily work.
Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa
