The Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church approved the titles of bishops of the dioceses of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, which took place in Moscow on July 24, 2025, considered the issue of the titles of bishops of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa. In the course of considering this issue, a decision was made to change the titles of the bishops of the African Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church, indicating in them toponymic information related to the African continent. This was reported on the official website of the Russian Orthodox Church.

«The members of the Holy Synod decided:

1. the ruling bishop of the North African diocese shall have the title “Cairo and North African”;
2. the ruling bishop of the South African diocese shall have the title “Johannesburg and South African”;
3. His Eminence Constantine, Metropolitan of Zaraysk, Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, shall be the Most Reverend of Cairo and North Africa;
4. the temporary administration of the Diocese of South Africa shall remain with the Metropolitan of Cairo and North Africa, Patriarchal Exarch of Africa,» — the Synod’s decision states.

We recall that on July 24, 2025, a regular meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church was held in Moscow. Among the decisions adopted at the meeting was a resolution on the naming of canonical parts of the Russian Orthodox Church, according to which foreign exarchates and metropolitan districts are obliged to indicate their affiliation with the Moscow Patriarchate in their self-designations. The topic was discussed using the example of the Belarusian Exarchate.