On the eve of the 3rd Week of Great Lent, the Crucifixion, on March 22, 2025, the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Konstantin of Zaraisk, prayed at the evening divine service at the parish of Blessed Matrona of Moscow in the capital of the Republic of Madagascar, Antananarivo.
The divine service was performed by the rector of the parish, Priest Alexy Erizou. Among those praying at the vespers service were the chairman of the missionary department of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, Priest Georgy Maximov, the deans of the Northern and Southern Church Districts of Madagascar, Priest Vasily Randrianaivu and Priest Nikolai Bruno, as well as the clergy of the two deaneries.
After the service, the bishop conducted a series of interviews with five clerics of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, following which the clergy were accepted under the omophorion of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Also on this day, Vladyka performed the sacrament of Baptism for a local woman. Two more Malagasy men joined the Orthodox Church through the sacrament of Chrismation.
On March 23, the 3rd Week of Great Lent, the Crucifixion, Metropolitan Constantine celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Antananarivo. Before the service began, the exarch laid priestly crosses in the tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church on six new priests of the South African Diocese in Madagascar who had transferred from the Patriarchate of Alexandria. One clergyman was accepted into the Russian Church that day, and five more were accepted the night before.
During the Liturgy, His Eminence was concelebrated by Priest Georgy Maximov, Priest Vasily Randrianaivu, Priest Nikolai Bruno, and all the priests of the South African Diocese in Madagascar. The service was performed in Church Slavonic and Malagasy languages.
The service was attended by former Prime Minister of Madagascar Mondza Rouandefou, President of the association "Friends of Russia in Madagascar" Richard Rakutunirina, local residents and Russian compatriots.
Nun Maria (Razanamahasua) prayed during the Liturgy with the sisters of the monastic community. The sermon before Communion was delivered by Priest Georgy Maksimov.
At the end of the service, Metropolitan Konstantin delivered the archpastoral address and greeted the officials and new clergy of the exarchate. Then the distinguished guests greeted His Eminence. All participants of the service received crosses and icons.
On the same day, the exarch gave a press conference to media representatives.
Metropolitan Konstantin then held a general meeting of the clergy of the two deaneries of Madagascar. At the end of the meeting, His Eminence handed over to the clergy Orthodox pamphlets and liturgical texts in French, translated by the staff of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa. The exarch handed over antimins, Eucharistic kits and other liturgical utensils to the newly appointed priests.
After the meeting, Metropolitan Konstantin held individual talks with a number of clergymen.