MUSEVENI | ORTHODOX CHURCH | METROPOLITAN LEONID

STATE HOUSE - President Yoweri Museveni has met Russia’s Orthodox Church New Africa Exarchate Metropolitan Leonid Gorbachev of Klin who is in Africa on his maiden visit.

The President welcomed the Orthodox Church of Russia and promised to support them in preaching the word of God saying he follows Christ and works with anyone who is a Christian. 

“Me, I follow Christ, so anyone who says he or she is a Christian, I support them,” he said. 

He quoted the story of the good Samaritan in the bible as the principle of setting up their Church in Uganda and said they will be known by their deeds. 

President Yoweri Museveni and the Russian Orthodox Church headed by Patriarchal Exarch of Africa Metropolitan of Klin Leonid (Gorbachev) tour State House Entebbe on May 19, 2022. (All Photos by PPU)

Museveni urged them to promote education and health alongside their religion for the social-economic transformation of the people.

Metropolitan Leonid of Klin and his team briefed President Museveni about their religion and their development projects on the continent.

“I am glad to finally be on African soil, in different states and with other powers. The Orthodox Church of Russia made a decision to come into Africa and spread the gospel and improve relations commercial and religious with the continent,” the Metropolitan Leonid said.

He added, “We have come with good goals, bringing peace and development to the continent.”

On December 29, 2021, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church at its session decided to form a Patriarchate Exarchate of Africa. Metropolitan Leond (Gorbachev) was appointed as Patriarchal Exarch with the title “of Klin”.

On 7 January 2022, in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia elevated him to the rank of Metropolitan.