On 17th December 2022, Metropolitan Leonid of Klin, Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, visited a concert of the Russian music in Rabat. It was given by the Moscow ensemble of soloists “Vera” directed by Yevgeniya Kuznetsova.
The concert at St Peter’s Cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church, located in Al-Joulane Square in the centre of Rabat, was organised with support from the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Morocco and the Russian House in Rabat.
“We have gathered here today to mark the first visit of the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa to Morocco timed to the 90th anniversary of the foundation of our Orthodox Holy Resurrection Church,” Metropolitan Leonid said in his opening address, cited by TASS news agency. The Exarch also noted that the year 2022 marks the centenary of St Peter’s Cathedral, and thanked Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Rabat, for the opportunity to hold the concert there.
Among those in attendance were Mr Vladimir Baibakov, Russia’s Ambassador to Morocco, as well as staff members of the Russian diplomatic mission and other institutions, representatives of the Russian-speaking community in Rabat, and citizens of Morocco.
The ensemble performed religious hymns by Russian composers, Christmas carols in different languages and famous folk songs.
In his concluding speech, Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the concert and his hope for further cooperation.
Metropolitan Leonid of Klin congratulated Moroccans on the success of their national team in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Rabat is the oldest Russian Orthodox church in Africa. Since 29th December 2021, it has been in the jurisdiction of the North Africa Diocese of the Moscow Patriarchate.
