More than 60 residents of remote villages in northern Mozambique have been baptized into the Orthodox Christian faith during a recent missionary journey led by Father Christos Sitoe of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

According to the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, a total of 64 people received baptism over the past two weeks in Orthodox communities across Niassa Province.

On June 20, Father Christos baptized 26 people at the Parish of St. Thomas the Apostle in the village of Muluma. Following the baptismal service, he blessed the homes of the newly baptized faithful. The next day, they received Holy Communion for the first time during the Divine Liturgy.

A week earlier, on June 13, another 38 residents were baptized at a newly established parish in the village of Tomboe, also located in Niassa Province.

Father Christos Sitoe joined the Russian Orthodox Church as a priest in 2025. In the same year, the Holy Trinity Parish was established in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, where he currently serves as rector.

The priest’s missionary work is part of broader efforts by the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa to expand church life and pastoral outreach across the continent. In February of last year, Father Christos met with Metropolitan Konstantin, the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, during the latter’s visit to Malawi. The two discussed the development of church communities and missionary activities in the region.

Father Christos now regularly travels to isolated communities in northern Mozambique, where he celebrates services, teaches about the Orthodox faith, and supports local parishioners. Earlier this month, during a pastoral visit to Zambezia Province, he also baptized 22 residents of St. Nicholas Parish.

Church officials say the growing number of baptisms reflects increasing interest in Orthodox Christianity among rural communities in Mozambique and highlights the continuing expansion of missionary work in the region.