For the first time in its history, the Republic of Niger hosted a Divine Liturgy of the Russian Orthodox Church in its capital, Niamey, on January 16. The service took place at the Russian House, blessed by His Eminence Metropolitan Constantine, the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa. This milestone was reported by the website of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

The Liturgy was officiated by Father Georgy Maksimov, head of the Missionary Department of the Patriarchal Exarchate, alongside Priest Parfeny Dansu, the dean of the West African deanery. Present at the service were Vladimir Voropaev, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Russia to Niger, embassy staff, members of the Russian House, and local Orthodox believers.

According to the Exarchate, for many attendees, this was their first Orthodox service in decades, with some participating in the sacrament of confession for the very first time. Following the Liturgy, a meeting took place between the priests and the Russian ambassador to discuss spiritual support for compatriots and the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church in the region.

The day prior, on January 15, Father Georgy Maksimov blessed a chapel dedicated to St. Alexius, Metropolitan of Moscow, which was constructed by Russian military personnel in the African Corps. The chapel service included a moleben and panikhida, as well as one baptism, and Orthodox literature was donated to the chapel's library. During their visit, the clergy also met with local Christians interested in Orthodoxy, with two being formally accepted into the Russian Orthodox Church while others continued their catechization.

Niger is recognized as one of the poorest and most unstable nations in the Sahel region, with a small and vulnerable Christian population amid the rise of radical Islamist groups and weakening state authority. In this context, the visit of the Russian Orthodox Church representatives and the holding of the first Liturgy marks a significant event for both compatriots and the local Orthodox community.