On the eve of the Resurrection of Christ, at the parish of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Rumonge, Burundi, 23 local residents joined the Church of Christ. This was reported by the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa. The new members of the Church were baptized on Holy Saturday and the next day took part in the Easter services.

On Holy Saturday, the dean, Father Dimitri Ntako-Nshikie, and Epiphanius Akizimaha, assisted by Deacon Thomas Nisengwe, baptized 11 local residents, while another 12 were received into Orthodoxy through the sacrament of Chrismation.

Chrismation symbolizes the pouring out of God's grace upon a person. According to tradition, this rite is performed once in a lifetime—immediately after the sacrament of Baptism. In special cases, Chrismation is performed again. For example, if a person has drifted away from Christ and has not participated in the Church's sacraments for a long time. Or if they were baptized as an infant but joined the Church as an adult. Upon returning to the Church, they must be chrismated again before partaking of the Holy Communion.

The mission of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa in Burundi began in February 2023. Two priests, along with their parishioners, transferred from the Patriarchate of Alexandria to the Russian Church. One of them was Father Dimitri Ntako-Nshikie. Since then, the number of parishioners of the Russian Church in Burundi has significantly increased. Orthodox prayer books have been published in the Kirundi language, spoken by the majority of the country's population. Additionally, Orthodox students from Burundi have come to Russia and have been accepted into the Moscow Theological Academy.

Photo: Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa