A numerous Christian community in Gabon has been received into the Russian Orthodox Church. This announcement was made by Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Klinshi Leonid, in his Telegram channel.

The community emerged within the framework of the non-canonical "Patriarchate of Nations" in Gabon in 2011. Over the course of more than ten years, four parishes of this community were established in the country, led by a "bishop," two "priests," and two "deacons."

In June of this year, when the first parish of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa was established in Gabon, 200 individuals from the "Patriarchate of Nations" community were received into the Russian Church as laypeople. The catechism of the community was initiated by Father Georgy Maksimov, continued by missionary Alexander Lyulka, and concluded by Father Parfeniy Dansu, who recently arrived in Gabon with the blessing of the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Leonid. During his visit, Metropolitan Leonid visited all four parishes, delivered lectures on Orthodoxy, conducted a seminar with community leaders, and held a workshop with the church choir of the Holy Virgin Mary in the city of Ntoum, teaching them how to bake prosphora.

Following the completion of catechism, Father Parfeniy performed the rite of reception into the Russian Orthodox Church. "The leaders of the parishes were received as laypeople, and their education will continue," noted the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa.