Conference in Moscow, Russia, reviews Russian Orthodox educational work in Africa

On 28 October, the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa held a plenary session of its conference, “Educational Activities of the Russian Orthodox Church in Africa: Challenges and Prospects,” at the Danilovskaya Hotel in Moscow. The event took place on the sidelines of the 3rd Russia–Africa Summit.

Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa, Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, chaired the session. Archpriest Tigriy Khachatryan, Head of the St Mark Spiritual and Educational Centre of the Exarchate, moderated it. In the first part, Metropolitan Konstantin gave the keynote address, “The System of Educational Activities of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.”

Several clergy then presented on church education. Hieromonk Simeon (Seregin), Head of the Office of the Synodal Department for Religious Education and Catechesis, spoke on “Key Guidelines for the Church’s Educational Activities.” Hieromonk Luke (Pronskikh), Acting Rector of St Nicholas-Ugreshsky Theological Seminary, addressed spiritual education for African students. Priest George Maksimov, Head of the Missionary Department of the Exarchate, spoke on the missionary content of discussions with schoolchildren. According to the Exarchate’s Telegram channel, these presentations were part of the programme.

After a break, clergy who head Orthodox schools and orphanages in African countries reported on their work. The reports covered educational centres in Kenya, Uganda, the Central African Republic and Tanzania, and orphanages in Kenya and Cameroon. Speakers included directors and rectors of schools and centres in Nairobi, Nyabini, Nkokonjeru, Bimbo, Oyani, Yaoundé, Nyabigegi, Marakusi and Gulu, among them Priest Methodius Kariuki, Priest Thomas Ssebiranda, Priest Sergius Voemava and Priest David Lakwo, whose institutions the programme named. Such institutions, which care for children in orphanages and shelters, are among the Exarchate’s charitable works, a picture of care for the vulnerable (Psalm 82:3).

Attendees included Bishop Euphemius of Lukhovitsy, Vicar of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa and Dean of the Egyptian Church District. Also present were clergy and staff of the Exarchate, students of the Moscow Theological Academy, St Nicholas-Ugreshsky Theological Seminary and Perervinsky Theological Seminary, and representatives of the media.

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