The foundation stone for a future Orthodox church of the Russian Orthodox Church was consecrated on January 6, Christmas Eve, in southern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ceremony took place at the parish of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the village of Tenke, Lualaba Province, according to the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

The service was led by Father Nikolai Musoya, dean of the Southern Church District of the DR Congo. The land plot for the construction was donated to the Russian Orthodox Church. The local parish community currently numbers about 50 faithful.

Until now, worship services have been held in a temporary structure—a frame of wooden poles covered with sacks—which offers little protection from the elements, particularly during the rainy season. Parishioners say the construction of a permanent church will be an important step in strengthening church life in the region. Members of the community are actively involved in preparations for the building project, with men contributing physical labor.

In the photo: Father George Maximov celebrates the Liturgy at the temporary church in Tenka / Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, 2024

The Tenke parish is part of the Southern Deanery of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa. In July 2024, it was visited by Father Georgy Maksimov, head of the Exarchate’s Missionary Department, during a trip to parishes in southern DR Congo. At that time, the community confirmed its readiness to begin construction once land documentation was finalized.

The Russian Orthodox Church has been developing pastoral and missionary work in the Congo since the early 2020s. Following the establishment of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa in 2021, local Orthodox communities and clergy in several African countries, including the DR Congo, joined the Russian Church. Today, several parishes operate in the country, most of them lacking permanent church buildings and holding services in temporary facilities.