The Orthodox Church in Zimbabwe

Overview

The Orthodox Church in Zimbabwe serves faithful across Harare, Bulawayo, and several regional towns, combining parish life with education, youth formation, and charitable outreach. Many communities are linked to the Greek diaspora while welcoming an ever-growing number of local Orthodox Christians.

Holy Churches (Harare & Regions)

  • Holy Trinity Cathedral (Harare) – The historic metropolitan seat and principal parish of the capital, home to an active choir and regular liturgical life.
  • Christ the Saviour (Harare) – Located within the St. Athanasios the Great Missionary Centre; solemnly inaugurated on 11 February 2007.
  • St. Nektarios (Park Town – Waterfalls, Harare) – Missionary parish established with the support of benefactors; serves families from the surrounding neighborhoods.
  • Dormition of the Theotokos (Harare) – Private chapel dedicated to the Mother of God.
  • St. John the Forerunner (Bulawayo) – Longstanding parish in the country’s second-largest city.
  • St. Augustine (Bulawayo) – Missionary parish with growing catechetical and youth programs.
  • St. George (Marondera) – Church project under construction on land donated by local benefactors.
  • Annunciation of the Theotokos (Selukwe/Chirumhanzu, 1926) – Historic parish serving the region for nearly a century.
  • Dormition of the Theotokos (Mutare) – Parish supported by a dedicated church council.
  • Annunciation of the Theotokos (Odzi) – Rural parish within the Dombropoulos family farm.
  • Chapel of St. Marina (Harare) – Within the St. Athanasios Missionary Centre; erected through the generosity of a benefactor from the diaspora.

Missionary Centres

  • St. Nektarios Missionary Centre (Park Town, Harare)
    A dynamic hub including a hall for gatherings, nursery school, and technical training (computer and sewing). A daily missionary clinic serves more than 200 patients per week, including children and those living with HIV/AIDS, offering free medical care. Women’s meetings (Thursdays), youth meetings (Saturdays), and Sunday School (after the Divine Liturgy) anchor parish life. Several students from this community have pursued theological studies at the Patriarchal School of St. Athanasios (Alexandria) and the Archbishop Makarios III Seminary (Kenya).
  • St. Augustine Missionary Centre (Bulawayo)
    Includes the parish church, a hall for gatherings, and a nursery school. Youth meet every Sunday after the Divine Liturgy; catechesis is active and expanding.
  • St. Athanasios the Great Missionary Centre (Harare)
    Adjacent to the archdiocesan residence, this complex includes the Church of Christ the Saviour, the Chapel of St. Marina, halls for events and catechesis, and patriarchal guest rooms. The property was acquired and renovated under then-Metropolitan (now Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa) Theodoros II, with support from the Hellenic Parliament. The complex was inaugurated on 10 February 2007.

Education

  • Hellenic School of Harare
    An English-Greek primary school with nursery and evening language classes for adults. The school has historically enrolled hundreds of students and hosted weekly theological instruction. A secondary school and a chapel have been planned/under development to serve the community’s long-term needs.

Pastoral & Formation Ministries

  • Sunday School – Weekly catechesis for children and teens in the “Sparta” Hall (Harare) and in parish halls across Bulawayo and Mutare on a monthly/quarterly basis.
  • Bible Study & Fellowship – Regular scripture circles led by lay leaders and clergy:
    • Women’s circles (Monday & Wednesday mornings)
    • Mixed adult study (Tuesday evenings)
    • Youth fellowship (Thursday evenings)
    • Monthly gatherings in Bulawayo and quarterly in Mutare
  • Lending Library – A parish library supports spiritual reading and lay formation.

Community Life

Greek and Cypriot associations, women’s societies, benevolent committees, and youth organizations have supported church life for decades—organizing cultural events, philanthropic drives, and preserving Hellenic-Orthodox heritage while welcoming broader participation from the local community.

A Living Witness

From historic parishes like the Annunciation in Selukwe (1926) to newer missionary hubs in Harare and Bulawayo, the Orthodox Church in Zimbabwe unites worship, education, and charitable service. With continued support from benefactors and friends of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, these communities remain a vibrant witness of faith and hope.