A pilgrimage delegation from the Russian Orthodox Church is visiting Christian holy sites across Egypt, led by the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Konstantin of Zaraysk. The mission, blessed by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and invited by Coptic Patriarch Tawadros II, aims to strengthen ties and foster dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Coptic Churches.

On November 10, 2024, Metropolitan Konstantin celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of St. Paul of Thebes in Egypt’s Eastern Desert, near the Red Sea. The service took place in the Church of St. Mark the Ascetic, built within the cave that once served as the saint’s cell. The Russian Orthodox delegation and parishioners from Hurghada attended the Liturgy.

On the same day in Cairo, Bishop Yefimy of Lukhavitsy, Vicar of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, conducted a Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh, assisted by Archpriest Alexei Mashkov, head of the Egyptian parishes of the Exarchate. The service gathered Orthodox faithful residing in Cairo.

The Monastery of St. Paul of Thebes, located in the Arabian Desert near the Red Sea, holds a significant place among Coptic Christians. Built in the 5th century over the cave where St. Paul of Thebes lived in the 4th century, the monastery commemorates his 91-year hermitic life, dedicated to unceasing prayer. According to tradition, he survived on dates and bread brought by a raven. Shortly before his death, Paul met St. Anthony, the founder of monasticism, who stayed with him until his passing and buried him. As the story goes, St. Paul died while praying on his knees. In Coptic tradition, St. Paul is widely venerated, and his meeting with St. Anthony is a beloved theme in Coptic iconography, often depicted with symbols such as a palm tree, a raven, and two lions—said to have dug his grave.