On February 1, a practical course on iconography began in Cali, Colombia, as reported by the press service of the Argentine and South American Diocese. The course is taught by iconographer Ekaterina Prokhorets, who arrived from the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos Parish in Panama. Six people are participating in the course, including four Colombian citizens.

Before the start of the classes, Hieromonk Alexander (Rosas), rector of the St. Seraphim of Sarov Parish in Bogotá, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and read a prayer for the beginning of a good work. He then introduced the participants to the Byzantine style of iconography.

The Argentine and South American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church was established in 1946 based on the Argentine Vicariate, which had been created in 1943. It oversees Orthodox parishes in Central (except Mexico) and South America.

The diocese’s first bishop, Theodore (Tekuchev), previously served as rector of St. George’s Cathedral in Chicago. In 1947, he arrived in Argentina and founded the Annunciation Church in Buenos Aires, which later became the cathedral of the diocese.

In 1970, the diocese joined the Patriarchal Exarchate of Central and South America, but after its dissolution in 1990, it continued as an independent structure.

Today, the diocese actively engages in missionary work among the indigenous peoples of Latin America while also supporting the Russian diaspora. Despite covering a vast territory, it remains one of the smallest Orthodox dioceses in terms of population.