In the Brazilian city of Timoteo, located in the state of Minas Gerais, the construction of the first Polish Orthodox Church in the region has officially begun. The initiative is led by newly ordained priest Father Albino and his small congregation, who currently gather for services in the home of the parish priest, reports Orthochristian.com.

This mission in Timoteo is the only Orthodox presence in the interior of Minas Gerais, Brazil's second most populous state, with over 20 million residents. The region spans 853 cities and is larger in area than France, Spain, or Germany.

The history of the community began in 2018 when Archbishop Chrysostomos Munoz of Rio de Janeiro and Olinda-Recife received four young people into the Polish Orthodox Diocese of Rio de Janeiro to spread Orthodoxy in Minas Gerais. Despite facing numerous challenges in securing a permanent location, the mission has continued to grow.

Currently, services are held in a repurposed workshop provided by one of the parish families, marking the third temporary location for the community. The faithful are hopeful that soon they will be able to construct a permanent church, which would serve as a spiritual center for the region.

With the blessing of Father Albino, fundraising for the construction project has begun. To date, approximately 2,500 reais (around 475 USD) have been raised toward the total goal of 15,000 reais. The mission has appealed to Orthodox Christians worldwide for support, as this project could become a crucial step in the expansion of Orthodox Christianity in Brazil.