From April 15 to 24, 2026, the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa, the interim head of the Diocese of Southern Africa, made his first visits to Zimbabwe and Senegal, and also visited Côte d’Ivoire.
The hierarch met with officials, visited parishes and communities of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, celebrated divine services, and interacted with local residents and compatriots.
Hierarchical divine services were celebrated for the first time in Zimbabwe and Senegal.
In Côte d’Ivoire, the archpastor also held a general meeting of the clergy of the West African Deanery (Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo, and Burkina Faso).
On April 15, the hierarch arrived in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. The bishop was accompanied by Archpriest Daniel Lugovoy, Dean of the parishes of the South African Diocese in South Africa and rector of St. Sergius Cathedral of the South African Diocese in Johannesburg, and the metropolitan’s personal secretary, Reader V.V. Dendyuk.
On the same day, Metropolitan Constantine met with N.V. Krasilnikov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Zimbabwe and to the Republic of Malawi.
On Thursday, April 16, during Bright Week, Metropolitan Konstantin visited the community of St. Sergius of Radonezh in the suburb of the Zimbabwean capital, Waterfalls.
On April 17, Friday of Bright Week, the feast of the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring,” His Eminence Konstantin celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Zimbabwe for the first time. The service was held at the parish in the country’s capital, Harare.
He was assisted by Archpriest Daniel Lugovoy and Priest Savva Kajawa, a cleric of the South African Diocese in Malawi who serves this parish.
The service was attended by N.V. Krasilnikov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Zimbabwe and, concurrently, to the Republic of Malawi; Y.V. Nikolaychik, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Zimbabwe; staff members of the Russian Embassy; and local residents.
On April 18, Metropolitan Konstantin arrived in Senegal, where he met with D.V. Kurakov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Senegal and to the Republic of The Gambia.
The bishop was accompanied by the chairman of the Missionary Department of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, Priest George Maximov, and his personal secretary, Reader V.V. Dendyuk.
On April 19, the Second Sunday after Easter, the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, and Antipascha Day, Bishop Konstantin celebrated the Divine Liturgy on the grounds of the Russian Embassy in Dakar.
The service was attended by Russian Ambassador D.V. Kurakov, staff of the diplomatic mission, and compatriots residing in the country.
On April 21, Metropolitan Konstantin arrived in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire). On the same day, the hierarch met with A.E. Saltykov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.
Earlier that day, within the embassy, the bishop performed a prayer service with the blessing of water and a memorial service.
On April 22, Metropolitan Konstantin celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the parish of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Abidjan.
The archpastor was concelebrated by Priest George Maximov and the clergy of the West African Deanery: the dean of the West African Ecclesiastical District, parish rector Priest Parthenius Dansou, and parish cleric Priest Nicholas N’cho (Côte d’Ivoire), Priest Stephan Assongba and Priest Eugene Jossou (Benin), Priest Luke Somda (Burkina Faso), and Priest Boris Pitasso (Togo).
On the same day, His Eminence held a meeting with the clergy of the deanery, during which they discussed a range of issues concerning church life in the countries where they serve.
To conclude his trip, on April 23, Metropolitan Konstantin visited Yamoussoukro, the capital of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, where he toured the city’s sights.
On that day, the hierarch, together with A.E. Saltykov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Côte d’Ivoire, met with Epiphane Zoro Bi Ballo, President of the High Authority for Good Governance in Côte d’Ivoire, Chairman of the Regional Council of the Marahoué Department. Possible avenues for cooperation were discussed at the meeting.
Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa
