On October 14, 2026, the feast of the Protection of our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Parish of the Archangel Michael in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia.
His Eminence was concelebrated by Archpriest Daniel Lugovoy, Dean of the parishes of the South African Diocese in South Africa, Rector of the Cathedral of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Johannesburg, and Acting Rector of the Parish of the Archangel Michael in Lusaka; the dean of the Zambian Ecclesiastical District, Priest John Musonda; the parish cleric, Priest Anatoly Trushin; and the clergy of the deanery.
The head of the Russian House, S.N. Kovaleva, along with Russian compatriots and local residents, prayed during the service.
Archpriest Daniel Lugovoy addressed Metropolitan Konstantin with a welcoming speech and presented the parish with an icon of the Saint Martyr Tryphon, embroidered by parishioners of St. Sergius Cathedral in South Africa.
The Exarch delivered a response, congratulated all those gathered on the feast day, and presented the parish with an icon of the Archangel Michael. His Eminence presented the head of the Russian House with an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Small icons of the Archangel Michael were distributed to all participants in the service.
After the service, Metropolitan Konstantin held a meeting of the deanery’s clergy, during which they discussed issues related to the development of church life in the country.
On the same day, His Eminence performed the rite of consecration of the cornerstone for the foundation of the future church dedicated to Saints Constantine and Helena, Equal to the Apostles, in the village of Chongwe.
The day before, Metropolitan Konstantin met with S.A. Popov, the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Russian Federation in Zambia.
Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa
