Exarch of Africa: Continent leaders are generally positive about ROC

Metropolitan Leonid of Klin, Patriarchal Exarch of the Russian Orthodox Church in Africa, said that he plans to visit several African countries whose leadership has already supported the creation of parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church on the continent, reports Interfax.

"Some of my visits to several African countries are already planned, I am going to meet with presidents, prime ministers and heads of diplomatic missions there. Many of them have approved of opening the African Exarchate," the metropolitan said during an online lecture on February 16. 

The Exarch stressed that people on the continent are generally positive about the Russian Church. "We are coming with love, with joy, and people recall the Soviet times when we brought up excellent experts on different fields," he said. And even if Alexandria cancels its decisions in favour of the schism, the Patriarchal Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church in Africa will not be abolished. “Time does not favour the Patriarchate of Alexandria,” Metropolitan Leonid noted.

The episcopate of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria has until recently been predominantly Greek. Metropolitan Leonid of Klin called the preparation of the clergy from among the local residents an important task of the Russian Church in Africa. “ Our main task is to prepare the African episcopate, to prepare priests, deacons and, first of all, bishops. But we get it right that it takes time, effort and appropriate education to prepare a worthy hierarch, and we have already begun working hard on it,” he metropolitan said.

According to him, aid is already coming to the continent for Orthodox parishes. So, the bishop of the UOC, Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol, handed over 60 kilograms of cargo for the Tanzanian clergy – vestments, cassocks, Eucharistic sets, vessels, etc.

At present, the statute of the Patriarchal parishes in Africa is being registered, after which accounts for donations will be opened.

“There are a lot of people who want to help, they will be able to provide all possible assistance. The reports will be as transparent as possible, we will account for every penny, for every brick that will be bought with the funds of patrons,” the Patriarchal Exarch concluded.

As reported, the Exarch of Africa summed up the work in Uganda and the activities of the missionary group in Tanzania since the beginning of the year.

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