On the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Constantine of Cairo and North Africa, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the parish of the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon in Ebuyangu village (Kakamega deanery) in Kenya.
His Eminence was co-served by the chairman of the Missionary Department of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, Priest George Maximov, the dean of the district, Priest Arseny Chitwa, the rector of the parish, Priest Epiphanius Omusundi, and the clergy of the deanery. Before Communion, Priest Georgy Maximov preached a sermon.
At the end of the service, Metropolitan Konstantin consecrated the fruits of the new harvest.
Vladyka Konstantin delivered an archpastoral address, congratulated the faithful on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord and presented the parish with an altar lamp. The bishop presented the participants of the Union of Orthodox Mothers with certificates of participation in the seminar, which was held on August 17-19 and was dedicated to the role of women in the Church.
Then, with the support of benefactors from Russia, the clergy were presented with motorcycles, which Vladyka consecrated on that day, and cows. After the service, Bishop Konstantin had a conversation with the assistant rectors and parishioners of the deanery.
On the same day, Metropolitan Konstantin visited the parish of the Blessed Prince John Kalita in the village of Essaba. The bishop inspected the progress of the church's construction, greeted the rector of the parish, Priest Anthony Chitva, and presented the parish with an altarpiece.
Then, at the parish of St. Mary of Egypt in the village of Ramula, the hierarch held a general meeting of the clergy of the deanery.
At the end of the day, His Eminence visited Priest Alexander Otoli, rector of two parishes in the Kakamega deanery. After joining the Russian Orthodox Church, Father Alexander was harassed by representatives of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria, who initiated legal proceedings against him based on false accusations. As a result of the trial, the priest was acquitted by the court. Now, due to the deterioration of Father Alexander's health, Vladyka Konstantin personally visited him at home, prayed for his health and helped organize the necessary medical care.
On the eve of August 18, the Patriarchal Exarch performed the rite of minor consecration of the church in honor of the silverless Cosmas and Damian, who suffered in Rome, in the village of Mulovolo (deanery of Vihiga) in Kenya and led the Divine Liturgy in the newly consecrated church. His Eminence was co-served by the dean of the Vihiga church district, Priest Nicanor Shilesi, the rector of the parish, Priest Nicodemus Karanja, and the clergy of the deanery.
At the end of the service, Metropolitan Konstantin delivered an archpastoral address, congratulated those present on the consecration of the church, and presented the parish with a set of protection rings. The clergy of the deanery, with the support of benefactors from Russia, were presented with motorcycles, which Vladyka also consecrated on this day, and cows.
The Patriarchal exarch held a general pastoral meeting, which was attended by all the clergy of the Vikhiga deanery, as well as students of theological schools in Russia who had returned home for the holidays.
On the same day, Metropolitan Konstantin visited the church under construction in honor of St. Cyprian of Carthage and inspected the progress of the work. The temple is being built with donations, which are collected on the official website of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa. Next, the bishop visited the parish in honor of the prophet of God Elijah in Kapasianga village, where he got acquainted with the progress of the construction of the temple. The next point of visit was the parish of St. Nektarios of Aegina in the village of Buyanga. There is a children's educational center in this parish. Vladyka presented the Iliinsky parish with an altarpiece, and the parish of St. Nectarius with an icon of the Savior.