On October 29, 2026, on the second day of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa’s conference titled “The Educational Activities of the Russian Church in Africa: Challenges and Prospects,” a practical ecclesiastical seminar for the heads of educational and social institutions of the African Exarchate was held in the Malachite Hall of the Danilovskaya Hotel. Sixteen delegates from eleven African countries arrived in Russia with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to participate in events organized by the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa in conjunction with the Russia–Africa Summit.
Opening the seminar, Archpriest Tigriy Khachatryan, head of the Spiritual and Educational Center (SEC) named after the Apostle and Evangelist Mark of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, spoke to the participants about the strategy for developing the exarchate’s educational institutions within the context of the traditions of Orthodox pedagogy. He noted that the conference was intended to provide impetus for the creation of a unified educational space for the Exarchate’s educational institutions, as stated by the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa, at the conference’s opening, and outlined the main direction of development in the context of the central pedagogical ideas of K.D. Ushinsky.
The following speakers then delivered presentations:
— Archpriest Dimitry Grigoryats, head of the section on Orthodox educational organizations at the Synodal Department for Religious Education and Catechesis, and director of the St. Philaret Orthodox Gymnasium in Lobnya—“The Orthodox School: Goals, Objectives, and Potential (The Russian Experience)”;
— Archpriest Gennady Zaridze, chairman of the interregional public organization “Association of Orthodox Scholars” and rector of the Church of the Intercession in the village of Otradnoye, Voronezh Diocese—“The Transmission of Spiritual Life Experience from Mentor to Disciples”;
— Priest Anatoly Trushin, staff member of the Spiritual and Educational Center, cleric at the Parish of the Archangel Michael in Lusaka (Zambia) – “Practical Skills for Utilizing the Potential of Neural Networks in the Educational Environment of the Exarchate’s Schools”;
– Deacon Georgy Yurenko, staff member of the Exarchate’s Spiritual and Educational Center – “Presentation of the ‘First Steps of Faith’ Teaching and Methodological Kit for Orthodox General Education and Sunday Schools.”
During the seminar, discussions took place on various aspects of structuring the educational process in the Exarchate’s schools. African delegates shared their experiences, described the specific features of their institutions’ work in collaboration with local education authorities, and presented their vision for the development of Orthodox education in Africa.
After a break, the session continued in a discussion format, and the participants divided into three groups. Each group was asked to present its own vision for addressing the tasks at hand under the given conditions. The main topics of discussion concerned the pedagogical, methodological, and logistical activities of schools and orphanages on the continent, as well as creating conditions to enhance their appeal and competitiveness.
After the groups presented their findings, feedback was provided by the invited experts. Comments were offered by:
— Archpriest Dimitri Grigoryants, head of the Orthodox Educational Organizations Sector of the Synodal Department for Religious Education and Culture;
— T.Y. Smirnova, director of the “Obraz” Orthodox School in the village of Malakhovka, Moscow Region;
— Archpriest Tigriy Khachatryan, head of the Apostle Mark Spiritual and Educational Center.
At the conclusion of the seminar, Archpriest Tigriy Khachatryan addressed the participants. In his closing remarks, he spoke about the beginning of a new phase, with the educational institutions of the Exarchate being integrated into the framework of the Exarchate’s Spiritual and Educational Center, as well as the launch of a self-assessment process as a starting point for establishing full-fledged cooperation and developing strategies and tactics for the educational and formative process.
After the seminar concluded, guests received the “First Steps in Faith” teaching and learning kits for Orthodox general education and Sunday schools, translated into English and French, as well as a collection of spiritual poems titled “The Wanderer,” authored by Archpriest Gennady Zaridze.
Photo: Ilya Belov
Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa
