From October 27 to November 2, 2026, with the blessing of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, clergy from Africa traveled to Russia. Sixteen delegates from eleven countries—directors of educational and social institutions of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa—took part in events held during the Third Russia–Africa Summit.
On October 28, at the Danilovskaya Hotel, a plenary session of the Exarchate’s conference, titled “The Russian Church’s Educational Activities in Africa: Challenges and Prospects,” was held, chaired by the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa. The session was moderated by Archpriest Tigriy Khachatryan, director of the Apostle Mark Spiritual and Educational Center of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.
On the same day, at Gostiny Dvor, Metropolitan Konstantin and Bishop Euphimy of Lukhovitsy, Vicar of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, attended the plenary session of the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, which was chaired by President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin.
On October 29, a panel session titled “Russia and Africa: Spiritual Sovereignty, Traditional Values, and Educational Cooperation” took place at Gostiny Dvor, with Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa as a speaker. The discussion was moderated by Hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov), Secretary for Inter-Christian Relations of the Department for External Church Relations.
The session was attended by Bishop Euphimy of Lukhovitsy, Priest George Maximov, Chairman of the Exarchate’s Missionary Department, deans of parishes in South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast—Archpriest Daniel Lugovoy, Priest Daniel Agbaza, and Priest Parthenius Dansou—as well as other representatives of the Exarchate.
On October 29, as part of the conference of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, a practical ecclesiastical seminar for the heads of schools and orphanages of the African Exarchate was held in the Malachite Hall of the Danilovskaya Hotel. The seminar was led by Archpriest Tigriy Khachatryan, head of the Educational Center of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.
On October 30, the delegation visited the Orthodox Gymnasium named after St. Philaret of Moscow in Lobnya to learn about the life and curriculum of the educational institution and to exchange experiences.
During their stay in Russia, the African guests took guided tours of the Danilov Monastery, the Church of St. Philip in Meshchanskaya Sloboda, Red Square, and the Kremlin; made a pilgrimage to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra; and visited the Moscow Theological Academy. At the theological academy, the delegation was received by Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov, rector of the Moscow Theological Academy.
On November 1, the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Constantine, presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow, in Meshchanskaya Sloboda, Moscow. His Eminence was concelebrated by Bishop Euphimy of Lukhovitsy, Vicar of the Exarchate of Africa; Priest George Maximov; members of the African clergy delegation; and the church’s clergy. The previous evening, the African priests had concelebrated with the Exarch during the All-Night Vigil.
On November 2, the final day of the trip, Metropolitan Konstantin met with the African priests, spoke with them, offered words of encouragement, and presented them with certificates of participation in the conference “The Russian Church’s Educational Activities in Africa: Challenges and Prospects.”
After the meeting, the African clergy headed to the airport.
Photos from the summit: Roscongress
Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa
