The Russian Orthodox Church has celebrated its first-ever Divine Liturgy in Ghana, according to the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa. The service took place on October 4 in the capital, Accra, at the request of Orthodox believers living in the country.

The liturgy was celebrated by Priest Georgy Maksimov, head of the Exarchate’s Missionary Department, who visited Ghana with the blessing of Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa.

The service was attended by the ambassadors of Russia and Serbia to Ghana, staff members of the Russian diplomatic mission and Russian nationals living in the country.

Following the liturgy, Father Georgy led a prayer service with the blessing of water and a memorial service for the departed. The previous day, he had also celebrated the sacrament of Baptism.

During his visit, the priest consecrated the premises of the Russian House in Accra, where the service was held, and assured the faithful that their spiritual care would continue.

Russian Ambassador to Ghana Alexey Ordash described the first liturgy as a possible starting point for establishing a permanent Orthodox parish in the country. He said such a community could bring together Russian nationals living in Ghana and serve as another link between the two peoples.

Serbian Ambassador Milutin Stanojevic, who also attended the service, expressed hope that liturgies would continue in the future. He emphasized the importance of giving the local Orthodox community the opportunity to participate regularly in church life.

The historic service marks a potential new chapter for the Russian Orthodox Church’s presence in Ghana and could lay the groundwork for a permanent parish serving Orthodox believers in the country.