The ROC understands that without Russia’s military presence in Africa they will be able to do little to change anything in the region.
This was stated by “Exarch of the ROC in Africa” Metropolitan of the ROC Leonid (Gorbachev), Interfax reports.
“We understand that we will not do anything there with a prayer alone, although, of course, we have hope in God,” Gorbachev said, adding that African Christians themselves were allegedly asking Russian troops to intervene.
“People from Mali and the Central Asian Republic have already approached us, saying they are very pleased with the presence of those military specialists who are ‘protecting our rights and freedoms.’ According to them, I am interpreting what they’re saying here, ‘the difference between what he had and what he have now is like between earth and heavens,” the ROC hierarch said at a press conference in Moscow on February 4.
As religious expert Oleksandr Yefremenko said earlier, the territories that fell under the “canonical responsibility” of the ROC in Africa were chosen not by chance. The Moscow Patriarchate will establish diocesan centers exactly where the Wagner PMC bases are located across Africa.
“The ROC intends to link the newly created dioceses to the structures of Eugene Prigogine – Wagner’s bases in Africa – which will give the ROC access to local governments, financial flows, and physical security,” said Alexander Yefremenko.
We will remind, earlier in Africa the leader of the priests who passed to Mospatriarchy was lost. Also, according to theologian Kirill Govorun, Vladimir Putin is using the ROC to strengthen Russia’s presence in Africa. We also wrote that the ROC in Africa is recruiting self-proclaimed “patriarchs” and self-consecrated bishops.
