The Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan of Cairo and Northern Africa Konstantin, issued a comment in response to a wave of disinformation in several media outlets regarding the activities of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.
Recently, false publications have appeared in the media claiming that the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa is allegedly engaged in the recruitment of citizens from African countries to take part in military actions. Furthermore, these articles assert that the Exarchate supposedly deceives residents of the continent by offering education or employment opportunities in Russia, while in reality sending them to serve in the conflict zone or to work in the defence industry.
All of these accusations are falsehoods and slander spread by ill-wishers concerned about the growing activity of the Russian Orthodox Church in Africa. Notably, none of these publications provide a single fact or piece of evidence that clergy or official representatives of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa have called upon or enticed anyone to go to the front.
The Russian Orthodox Church is present in Africa in order to bring forth the light of Christ, and its sole purpose is the preaching of the Orthodox faith and service to God and neighbor.
I would also like to remind that clergy are prohibited from engaging in political activity, as established in official Church documents. It should also be noted that virtually all the clergy and laity of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa are citizens of African countries who, during divine services, offer prayers for their own authorities, their homeland, and their people.
The Russian Orthodox Church in Africa is the Church of these countries, and our mission is not to attract African residents to Russia, but to provide pastoral care for the faithful and to organize liturgical life within the countries that fall under the Exarchate’s pastoral responsibility.
Metropolitan of Cairo and Northern Africa Konstantin, Patriarchal exarch of Africa
Patriarchal exarchate of Africa
