The first-ever Orthodox Christmas service was held in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, Russian media reported.
The liturgy was served by the Chairman of the Missionary Department of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, Priest Georgy Maksimov.
"The ceremony was performed in an adapted room on the territory of the embassy [of Russia in Zimbabwe], but we believe that in the future an Orthodox church will be built in Harare, a church choir will be created," the priest was quoted by the media as saying.
According to Maksimov, Orthodox parishes are established in more than 30 of 54 African countries, including Angola, Burundi, Zambia, Cameroon, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo, South Africa.
"The Orthodox Church comes to the aid of Africans in the most difficult situations. In Malawi, for example, we helped to overcome the effects of a cyclone and floods," he added.
The Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa with two dioceses in its composition, North African and South African, was established on December 29, 2021, by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.