From July 16 to 21, 2026, with the blessing of the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa, Priest George Maximov, chairman of the Missionary Department of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, visited Equatorial Guinea.
On July 16, Father George arrived in Bata, where he met with two “priests” from a non-canonical group who wished to join the Russian Orthodox Church. Their catechesis had begun last year.
On July 17, at a church belonging to this group, Father George received seventeen people into Orthodoxy through the second rite—both leaders as laypeople and the most active members of the congregation. The rest of the community will continue their catechesis. Father George distributed icons, crosses, educational leaflets, and brochures in Spanish—including an Orthodox catechism—to those gathered.
Thus, the Russian Orthodox Church gained its second congregation in the country, and Metropolitan Konstantin blessed it to venerate St. Sergius of Radonezh as its patron saint.
Later that same day, Priest George visited the African Corps’ base, where he met with Russian military believers. Prayers were offered, a pastoral conversation took place, and spiritual literature was distributed. All who wished to do so were able to confess.
On July 18, the feast of the uncovering of the holy relics of St. Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh, Father George arrived in Malabo, where he visited the Orthodox community dedicated to the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God. Several people had been undergoing catechesis there for several months. After speaking with each person individually, Father George baptized two and accepted four people into the Church through the sacrament of Chrismation. This was followed by the evening service and confession.
On July 19, the 7th Sunday after Pentecost, Father George celebrated the Divine Liturgy, attended by local Orthodox residents, compatriots with their families, as well as servicemen of the African Corps stationed on the island. After the Liturgy, Priest George performed the first Orthodox wedding ceremony in the country—local residents Ignatius and Sophia were married. Many guests were impressed by the beauty and depth of the Orthodox sacrament of Marriage. That same evening, Father George held a meeting with another “priest” from a non-canonical “church” who had expressed a desire to join the Russian Orthodox Church.
On July 20, with the blessing of Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa, Priest George Maximov consecrated the premises of the Russian Cultural Center in Malabo, including the house chapel set up by the center’s staff and the “African Initiative” news agency. Father George celebrated a prayer service for the blessing of water and a memorial service in the chapel, during which all those present were able to pray for the health and repose of their loved ones. At the conclusion of the service, the priest also donated spiritual literature, icons, crosses, and church supplies to the chapel. Representatives of the country’s leading media outlets, Equatorial Guinean bloggers, and the “African Initiative” news agency interviewed the priest.
On the same day, Father George Maximov visited the new buildings of the Russian House in Equatorial Guinea, which had supported his trip to the country.
On July 21, at the Protection of the Mother of God Parish in Malabo, Father George conducted a prayer service for the blessing of water and, with the assistance of a local catechist, organized a session to teach newly converted local residents how to conduct lay-led worship services. One of the leaders of the newly affiliated community in Bata was also present at the session.
Since there is currently no permanent priest in Equatorial Guinea, the faithful celebrate the Typica in a lay manner on Sundays.
Father George also met with a representative of another group from Bata who wishes to convert to the Russian Orthodox Church and agreed on their further catechesis.
Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa
