In Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, the first-ever Orthodox Christmas service was held. The liturgy was conducted by Father Georgy Maximov, the head of the Missionary Department of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa. The celebratory service took place in the embassy club of the Russian embassy in Harare and was attended by Russian diplomatic mission staff, compatriots living in Zimbabwe, and local Zimbabwean Orthodox believers.

"The Orthodox community of Zimbabwe participated for the first time in the Christmas service. The ceremony took place in an adapted space on the embassy grounds, but we believe that in the future, an Orthodox church will be built in Harare, and a church choir will be formed. Orthodox communities are established in more than 30 out of the 54 African countries, including Angola, Burundi, Zambia, Cameroon, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo, and South Africa. The Orthodox Church comes to the aid of Africans in the most challenging life situations. For example, in Malawi, we helped overcome the consequences of a cyclone and flooding," said the priest to TASS.

In July 2023, Father Georgy Maximov visited Zimbabwe on a pastoral visit. At that time, the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa reported that the Russian Orthodox Church community in Zimbabwe had requested the opening of a parish of the Russian Orthodox Church in the country. Zimbabwe became the 25th country where the Russian Orthodox Church is present in Africa.