Russian Orthodox Church to open spiritual center in Africa
The Russian Orthodox Church has announced the creation of a new spiritual and educational center under its Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, aimed at expanding religious teaching, media outreach, and pastoral support across the continent.
The move was approved by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, who has been instrumental in advancing the church’s growing presence in Africa since the establishment of the exarchate nearly four years ago, according to an official statement.
Archpriest Tigry Khachatryan, a cleric of the Kursk Diocese, has been appointed head of the center named after the Apostle and Evangelist Mark, the Patriarchal Exarchate reported on Wednesday.
“The Center’s tasks include translation and publication of liturgical, spiritual, and methodological literature into international and national languages of the peoples of Africa,” the official statement said.
It added that the institution will also produce radio programs, films, and other media content, organize creative competitions and seminars, and provide regular online support to clergy and catechists.
The Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa was established by Moscow in December 2021, following a split with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria over its support for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Since then, it has built a growing network of parishes and missions in more than 30 countries, including Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, and South Africa, amid Russia’s expanding diplomatic, economic, and security footprint on the continent.
In August, a delegation of 30 Orthodox priests from 22 African countries visited Russia and met Patriarch Kirill in Moscow to discuss pastoral cooperation and religious education. They attended the first ecclesiastical conference of the Patriarchate’s African Exarchate and participated in an RT masterclass on creating religious content for social platforms. During the weeklong visit, the clergy toured historic sites, including the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, the largest male monastery and a major spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church near Moscow.
