Ambassador of Egypt to Russia welcomes creation of ROC Exarchate in Africa
The Patriarchal Exarch for Africa discussed with the Egyptian official issues related to the pastoral care of Russian-speaking parishes in Egypt.
On February 1, 2022, Egypt's Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Russia H. E. Ali Baha Eldin Elnaggari stated that the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church to establish the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa opens up new prospects for cooperation between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Moscow Patriarchate, the DECR ROC website reports.
During the meeting, Patriarchal Exarch for Africa, Metropolitan Leonid of Klin, discussed with the Egyptian Ambassador to Russia the topics of current cooperation, in particular, issues related to the pastoral care of Russian-speaking parishes in Egypt.
Metropolitan Leonid emphasized the importance of cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Coptic Church, which is the main partner of the Moscow Patriarchate in Africa.
In turn, Ambassador H. E. Ali Baha Eldin Elnaggari welcomed the establishment of the Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church in Africa and noted that this decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Church will contribute to the development of traditionally fraternal ties between the peoples of Russia and Egypt and will have a positive impact on interreligious and interfaith dialogue in Africa.
Representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Embassy of Egypt in Russia agreed to maintain regular contacts to further resolve issues of mutual interest.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that meetings of the clergy were held by the African Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church.