A total of 59 people in Malawi have joined the Orthodox Church through baptism over the course of one week, according to the website of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

The latest baptism took place on November 8 at the parish of St. George the Victorious in Zomba District, where 39 local residents, including adults and children, received the sacrament following the Divine Liturgy. The service was celebrated by Priest Joachim Bakali, dean of the Southern Church District of Malawi.

Earlier, on November 1, another 20 residents were baptized at the parish of St. Andrew the Apostle in the village of Ndavava, also in Zomba District.

The growing Orthodox community in Malawi is accompanied by expanding missionary and educational activities organized by the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa. During the summer, 16 members of the Yao and Mang'anja ethnic communities received baptism in Zomba District. In March 2026, another 112 local residents were baptized in Phalombe District.

A key area of the Exarchate's work is translating liturgical texts into local languages. Earlier this year, the Russian Orthodox Church published a prayer book and a service book in Chichewa. In August, during a missionary visit to Malawi, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the country for the first time using an updated edition of the service book in that language.

The Exarchate also supports the training of local clergy and catechists. In 2026, a methodology for organizing parish Bible study groups was developed for African students at theological seminaries. Training seminars for priests and catechists were also held in Malawi during the summer.

The Church's activities extend beyond religious and educational work. In February, the Russian Orthodox Church provided 46 tonnes of food aid to vulnerable communities in Malawi, benefiting approximately 2,700 families. With the support of the Exarchate, wells have also been drilled to improve access to drinking water.

Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa with a population of approximately 22 million. Christianity is the predominant religion, while Islam is the country's second-largest faith.