A Russian missionary priest celebrated the Liturgy at an African parish that was abandoned by the Patriarchate of Alexandriatranslated

On September 27, 2026, the Chairman of the Missionary Department of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa of the Russian Orthodox Church, Priest Georgy Maximov, celebrated the Liturgy at the parish in honor of the blessed Matrona of Moscow in the city of Ukpor (Anambra State) in Nigeria.

Before being accepted into the fold of the Russian Orthodox Church, this parish was abandoned by the Alexandria Church for many years; the priest has not appeared here for six years, reports the website of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

It is noted that, being without pastoral care, the believers asked to be accepted into the Russian Orthodox Church.

“This request was granted, and priest Stefan Nvorie, ordained in Russia, was appointed to the parish, who, with the support of the Exarchate, was able to repair the church and revive the parish in a short time,” the statement said.

Father Georgy Maximov celebrated the Liturgy on September 27 as part of his visit to Nigeria with the blessing of the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Constantine of Cairo and North Africa. On the same day, Father George visited the parish in honor of the Great Martyr Catherine in the same state.

Let us recall that by decision of December 29, 2021, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decided to establish...