Orthodox faith expected to grow in African state – priest
The Orthodox faith will continue to grow in the Central African Republic (CAR), Father Sergiy Voemava has said. He shared plans for new churches and other facilities for Orthodox Christians in the region.
Speaking to RT, the first Orthodox priest ordained as rector of the Church of St. Andrew in Bangui predicted that the church would establish a presence in all of the CAR’s provinces within the next decade.
“Christians from the major provinces are calling and inviting the Orthodox Church to their provinces because they are interested in the Orthodox faith,” he said.
Father Sergiy outlined ambitious goals for the local Orthodox community. Beyond building new churches, he said there is a pressing need for schools, particularly for orphans, transportation infrastructure, youth training centers, and medical facilities to serve Orthodox Christians.
Despite facing challenges, he praised the efforts already made by the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa and the Russian Orthodox Church, noting their contributions in building school facilities, delivering humanitarian aid, and providing food assistance to children in the CAR.
“Our expectations are vast,” he said, “I believe that over time, and thanks to donations, our church will receive everything it needs to better serve the Lord.”
The priest also shared his vision for the future of Orthodoxy in the country, as preparations are underway to build a larger and more spacious church for the growing community. He explained that two months ago, the Metropolitan of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa visited the CAR and held discussions with the country’s president regarding the future of Orthodox Christianity.
Africa’s Orthodox Christian presence has expanded significantly in recent decades, with Orthodox believers now comprising about 15% of the global Orthodox population, according to data. Ethiopia leads the continent, hosting approximately 36 million Orthodox faithful – second only to Russia worldwide.
On April 20, Russian Embassy staff in the CAR attended an Easter service at the Russian House Cultural and Educational Center in Bangui, led by priest Anatoly Slobodchikov. Around 100 people took part, including Russian Defense Ministry representatives, UN peacekeepers, instructors, and compatriots. The service ended with the blessing and sharing of Easter cakes and colored eggs.
