On August 27, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia received a delegation from the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa headed by Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa in the Patriarchal Hall of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
Before the meeting, a sightseeing tour of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was organized for the guests from Africa.
Welcoming the audience, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill said in particular: "It is a great pleasure for me to see all of you, to talk with you and to assure you that the Russian Orthodox Church has begun its missionary work in Africa completely selflessly, without seeking any benefit." 
"Russia has long-standing friendship with many African countries. And that's the reason — our country has never participated in the slave trade or colonized the African continent," the Primate explained. — Russia is a huge country, the largest in area, it has a lot of resources, and it has never encroached on the resources of the African continent — this is its difference from most European countries. On the contrary, back in the late 19th century and especially in the 20th century, Russia helped the African peoples, as you well know, to defend their independence and gain freedom so that the exploitation of African peoples by colonialists would cease and Africa would have the opportunity for free dynamic development. Of course, the fight against colonialism has brought our country very close to the African continent." 
Further, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church recalled that one of the forms of support for African Christians was and remains personnel training in Russia, where representatives of many African states have studied and are studying in secular and spiritual educational institutions.
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill outlined in detail the reasons that led the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church to establish a Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa: this is a "violation of the basic canonical rules and norms that should guide the Orthodox Church" on the part of Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria, his "fateful decision" to enter into communion with a schismatic structure, which led the hierarchs of the Patriarchate of Alexandria themselves to This was followed by many petitions from clerics from Africa who did not want to participate in schismatic acts., on their acceptance into the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church.
"I am very impressed by the courage and steadfastness you have shown on this path, my dear brothers," said His Holiness the Patriarch. — I know that many people have experienced hardships, attacks in the media, threats, and hostile actions for making a choice in favor of fidelity to canonical Orthodoxy.… But you did not flinch, did not turn away from the chosen path. I want to thank each of you, and through you, all the African priests and believers, for the hard work you have done, and most importantly, for your loyalty to the canons of the Orthodox Church."
In response, Metropolitan Konstantin thanked His Holiness on behalf of the delegation of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa for the invitation to come to Moscow, and also spoke about the services and events during the visit, and thanked the DECR leadership and the Foundation for the Support of Christian Culture and Heritage, with the assistance of which 71 seminarians from Africa study in nine theological schools of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as Many other initiatives are underway.
Then the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church answered the questions of the African clergy in detail.
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill handed over his book "Freedom and Responsibility" in English to the African clergy. Commemorative medals were also awarded to the clergy.
With the blessing of His Holiness, a number of clerics from the North African and South African dioceses of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa were awarded the following Patriarchal attention and hierarchical awards for their diligent service to the Holy Church.
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The Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa was established by the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church on December 29, 2021. At that time, there were four priests of the Russian Church in Africa, serving in five parishes in four countries. Currently, there are 332 parishes of the Patriarchal Exarchate in 36 countries of the Black Continent, where more than 270 priests and deacons serve. With the blessing of His Holiness, thirty clerics — deans of church districts and senior priests representing 22 African countries — are making a pilgrimage to Russia from August 21 to 29.