Juba, South Sudan, December 17, 2025
Photo: ierapostoles.gr
The establishment of the Patriarchate of Alexandria’s Holy Diocese of Juba and South Sudan in 2024 has sparked an Orthodox revival in the world’s youngest country, with dozens of catechumens being baptized and scores of Orthodox Christians returning to the Church after decades of absence.
The diocese was established in February 2024, and already as of May 2024, 57 catechumens had been baptized and 60 Orthodox faithful had returned to the Church, according to Bishop Konstantinos of Juba and South Sudan. 14 additional catechumens are preparing for Baptism in December.
South Sudan had been without a permanent bishop or priest for 52 years following the departure of most Greek immigrants in the 1970s due to constant warfare. Orthodoxy first arrived in the country in the 1950s when Greeks from Khartoum established the initial Orthodox community, but civil war and displacement interrupted the Church’s presence.
The new diocese was established in 2024 with Bp. Konstantinos appointed to lead the mission. Two seminarians are currently studying at the Holy Theological School of St. Makarios, while three young people are being trained as catechists.
The diocese’s only surviving church building, in Wau. Photo: ierapostoles.gr
The diocese operates six Orthodox community centers: Juba, Malakal (325 miles from the capital), Wau (320 miles), Yei (95 miles), Nimule (120 miles) and Guegue (30 miles). Only Wau has a permanent church building, while other communities pray in rented buildings, tents, or private homes.
A group of particular interest to the diocese is the Greek community, descendants of Greek immigrants who became Catholics after being cut off from their Orthodox roots. More than 300 children from these Greek families are now seeking to return to Orthodoxy and require education and care, according to the bishop.
He has appealed for financial support to renovate the church in Wau, which is leaking, and to rebuild the priest’s house that was destroyed by rain. He estimates $23,430 is needed for these repairs. The diocese also aims to construct a cathedral in Juba, where Christians currently pray in tents, build churches in the remaining community centers, and acquire a vehicle for pastoral trips.
The diocese currently has no sources of income and depends on donor support, Bp. Konstantinos stated. Despite resource constraints, the mission provides assistance to refugees and displaced persons, offers nutrition and medical care, supports orphaned children, provides scholarships, and drills wells for drinking water.
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