St. Sergius of Radonezh Russian Orthodox Church, Midrand, South Africa

Historical Details

Build - Founding Year:

2003

History:

The Midrand Temple is the first Russian Orthodox Church in sub-Saharan Africa. The parish in honor of the Monk Sergius, Hegumen of Radonezh and All Russia, the wonderworker, was formed on the basis of the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of December 29, 1998. The original ward was located in a small house at 106 Eastbourne Road, Carlswald, Midrand, where a home church was established and services were regularly held. In September 2000, a piece of land was purchased in Midrand, on which the construction of the temple began. On December 15, 2001, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation I.S. Ivanov, the solemn laying of the first stone in the foundation of the future temple took place. Thanks to the sponsorship of the Russian company Stroytransgaz, the full support of the Russian Embassy in South Africa and the personal participation of the Ambassadors of the Russian Federation V.B. Lukov. and A.A. Kushakov, donations from numerous parishioners, through the efforts of the parish rector Father Filaret (Bulekov), the main design work for the construction of the temple complex, which includes a temple, a parish center and a priest's house, was completed by March 2003. On March 2, 2003, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, accompanied by Metropolitan Seraphim of Johannesburg and Pretoria (Patriarchate of Alexandria), performed the rite of the Great Consecration of the temple.