The Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Johannesburg, South Africa, has been granted the status of the Cathedral of the South African Diocese of the Patriarchal Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church. The decree conferring this new status was read by Metropolitan Konstantin of Zaraisk, Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, during a service on October 6, 2024.

The Divine Liturgy, led by Metropolitan Konstantin, was conducted in Church Slavonic, Afrikaans, and English. Among those concelebrating were Dean of the South African Diocese, Protopriest Daniel Lugovoy, and Priest Iakov Smets. After the Liturgy, a prayer service, a procession, and a glorification of St. Sergius were held.

On the same day, Metropolitan Konstantin presented a certificate to parishioner V.N. Zelenyuk in honor of his 60th birthday.

The Church of St. Sergius, the largest Russian Orthodox community in South Africa, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The decision to establish the parish in South Africa was made by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church on December 29, 1998. In March 2003, the newly built church was consecrated by Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, who is now the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’. In 2018, the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa was established, and St. Sergius Church became part of it. Services at the church are held in three languages: Church Slavonic, English, and Afrikaans—the language of the Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch, French, and German settlers who migrated to South Africa in the 17th century.