On the 8th Week after Pentecost, July 26, 2026, the day of remembrance of the Holy Fathers of the six Ecumenical Councils, the feast of the Cathedral of the Archangel Gabriel, the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Constantine of Cairo and North Africa, who is on a trip to Tanzania, led the Divine Liturgy at the parish of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the village of Butengo.
His Eminence was co-served by the chairman of the Missionary Department of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, Priest George Maximov, the deans of the Central and Northern Church Districts of Tanzania, Archimandrite Zachariah (Mulingua) and Archpriest Peter Majune, rector of the parish, Priest Polycarp Buchenya, and clerics of the Northern Deanery of Tanzania.
The Liturgy was celebrated in Swahili, English, and Church Slavonic.
At the end of the service, Metropolitan Konstantin delivered the archpastoral address. His Eminence presented the parish with a Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and altar candlesticks, and the faithful received icons as gifts.
After the service, the ceremonial opening of the water column took place in the parish. Vladyka Konstantin consecrated the column, as well as motorcycles donated to all the clergy of the deanery for pastoral and missionary needs. All this became possible thanks to donors from Russia. Then the Patriarchal Exarch conducted an interview with seven young people who wanted to receive a spiritual education.
On the same day, Metropolitan Konstantin held a meeting of the clergy of the Northern Deanery of Tanzania. The meeting was attended by Priest Georgy Maximov, Archimandrite Zachariah (Mulingua) and Archpriest Peter Majune, all clerics of the Northern Deanery.
During the conversation, issues related to the activities and development of parishes in Tanzania were discussed.
Priest Georgy Maximov presented and distributed to the clergy a prayer book, a short breviary, and other Orthodox literature in Swahili, prepared by the Apostle Mark Spiritual and Educational Center of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa. At the end of the meeting, Bishop Konstantin presented the clergy with memorable gifts.
On July 27, in Musoma, the Patriarchal Exarch performed the sacrament of Baptism in the waters of Lake Victoria. 11 people were baptized that day. Another 12 were accepted into Orthodoxy through the sacrament of Chrismation. His Eminence was co-served by Archimandrite Zachariah (Mulingua).
Priest Georgy Maximov addressed the newly baptized with a parting word.
Metropolitan Konstantin then visited the parish of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica in Musoma, which is led by Priest Polycarp Buchenya. The bishop delivered an archpastoral address, presented the parish with an altarpiece and talked with the faithful.
On the same day, Metropolitan Konstantin visited the Annunciation Parish in Mwanza, which is also tended by Father Polycarp. Vladyka talked with the members of the community and presented the parish with a cross.
On July 28, the Patriarchal Exarch visited the parish of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Kikatiti (Arusha region) in northern Tanzania. His Eminence was accompanied by Priest Georgy Maximov. Bishop Konstantin was greeted by the rector of the parish, Hieromonk John (Kihanga), and the faithful.
The bishop sang the kontakion and magnification to the heavenly patron saint of the community, St. Seraphim of Sarov, and then addressed the audience with an archpastoral address. Metropolitan Konstantin had a conversation with Hieromonk John about the life of the parish and presented the community with an icon of the Savior.