The Cathedral of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Johannesburg marked its patronal feast on the 18th Sunday after Pentecost with a festive Divine Liturgy led by Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa, Patriarchal Exarch of Africa and interim administrator of the Diocese of South Africa.

The celebrations began on the eve of the feast with a solemn vigil, also led by Metropolitan Konstantin. Concelebrating with him during the Liturgy were Archpriest Daniil Lugovoy, dean of the South African church district and rector of the cathedral, and Deacon Stefan Hayes.

The service was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to South Africa, Mr. Renat Ambarov. Following the Liturgy, the clergy and faithful participated in a traditional procession around the church.

In his closing remarks, Archpriest Daniil warmly welcomed Metropolitan Konstantin and expressed gratitude for his pastoral leadership and visit. In return, the metropolitan congratulated the clergy and parishioners on their feast day and emphasized the importance of the St. Sergius Cathedral as a spiritual hub for Orthodox Christians across Southern Africa. As a token of appreciation, he presented the rector with a pectoral cross adorned with jewels.

The Cathedral of St. Sergius was established by decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1998 and consecrated in 2003 by then-Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, the current Patriarch of Moscow. In 2024, the church was officially elevated to cathedral status as part of the South African Diocese within the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

The celebration highlighted the growing presence and spiritual life of the Orthodox Church in Africa, uniting local and Russian-speaking faithful in a vibrant display of liturgical and cultural tradition.