Several parishes that previously cared for the Russian diaspora in Africa, although they were sponsored by the Russian Orthodox Church, legally belonged to the Alexandrian Patriarchate. “We have never crossed the line of the canons,” explained Metropolitan of Klin, Cairo and North Africa, Patriarchal Exarch of All Africa Leonid (Gorbachev) on the air of the program “Strategy with Anna Shafran” on December 30, 2021. Now all these parishes are being transferred to the structure of the Russian Orthodox Church in Africa.

“You shouldn’t think that Africa is a continent where is no Internet and people are not interested in the state of affairs. People understand that today there is a split in Ukraine, and tomorrow in Africa. People began to contact us. They knew that the Russian Orthodox Church was present there – we are in Cairo, Tunisia, Morocco, Johannesburg. But we never crossed the line. The parishes were engaged in caring for the Russian-speaking people of our diaspora, employees of departments, embassies, and other accredited institutions. But everyone else could come there. Legally, they were in the Alexandrian Patriarchate, now they are being transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church.

And many other parishes have sworn to the Russian Orthodoxy, people are sure that we will not let them down. There are many tasks, both humanitarian and financial. There is no drinking water, no medical care, no education. We will put it all in order. We will return to the good practice of student education quotas, especially the low-income ones. There are many plans, there is support. Hundreds, thousands of people write to us, waiting for a meeting on the African continent. We have many problems, we are fighting with them. But we will not allow anyone to trample the canons of Ecumenical Orthodoxy,” lord Leonid said.

According to him, what the Holy Synod has done is only the beginning.

“The ROC will not leave the African continent anywhere. I do not know what to compare this epoch-making step with. I want you to understand – this is not bravado; we did not want that. We pulled it to the last. But we must not let the schismatics triumph. We had to stop this orgy. Will it get better further? Will Patriarch Theodore repent? Will he bring repentance? Then we’ll talk. But I will repeat once again – we will talk from the standpoint of what we have. Nobody will give anything away. It must be understood that history never gives anyone a second chance. In five years, no one knows what will happen. Now the ROC can lead the entire Orthodox world with its labors and concerns.

Thanks to those who stood at the origins, worked and continue to work there. Despite the reprimands. People were left without a piece of bread, and we could not lend a helping hand to them at some stage. We are told that we are conquistadors – we are normal, adequate people who soberly assess modern politics, understand the situation,” said the Patriarchal Exarch of All Africa.