Residents of Center B village in Baringo County, Kenya, who have expressed a desire to receive the sacrament of Baptism, are preparing for catechism and setting up a temporary church. This news was reported by the website of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

Catechism sessions are being conducted by Deacon John Shilesi of the Lugari deanery. The community consists of 50 individuals, both adults and children. On June 25, Father John, along with the villagers, worked on creating a space for holding services. Since there is no church building in the village, services will be held under a canopy.

The Russian Church received official registration in Kenya in early 2023. Currently, there are nine deaneries of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa operating in the country. To date, 993 people from 22 parishes have completed a course of lectures on the Holy Scriptures and Catechism. Many Kenyan priests have successfully completed theological online courses at the Moscow Theological Academy.

Deacon John Shilesi also studied in Moscow. He was ordained in October 2023 and later underwent liturgical practice at the Church of St. Philip of Moscow in Meshchanskaya Sloboda. Additionally, he trained in candle making at the Nativity Stavropegial Monastery under the guidance of Nun Matrona (Jepchirchir) from Kenya, the first nun of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

Photo: Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa / exarchate-africa.ru