Construction has begun on an Orthodox church dedicated to the Savior’s Holy Face in Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, according to the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

Archpriest Dmitry Matienko has been appointed rector of the new parish. He also serves at the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius.

Father Dmitry arrived in Antananarivo on September 28. During his first days in the city, he met with local clergy and construction companies, discussed the church project and purchased the materials needed for the work.

On September 30, Father Dmitry and Father Alexy Erizu celebrated a prayer service marking the beginning of construction. Work on the site began immediately after the service.

The following day, Father Dmitry visited Russian servicemen of the Africa Corps stationed in Madagascar. He spoke to them about repentance and then conducted confessions and celebrated the Divine Liturgy. According to the organizers, many of the servicemen received Holy Communion, with some participating in the Eucharist for the first time.

At the conclusion of the visit, Father Dmitry presented the Africa Corps headquarters with a folding icon depicting Christ the Pantocrator and the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

The new parish is expected to become a center of Orthodox life for believers in Antananarivo. Father Dmitry has been tasked with overseeing not only the continued construction of the church but also the development and furnishing of the parish.