Bsp. Neofitos Kong’ai Elevated to Metropolitan by Patriarchate of Alexandria

Met. Neofitos. Photo: Archangel Michael Orthodox Church

ALEXANDRIA — The Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, meeting at the Patriarchal Headquarters, announced on Oct. 7, 2025, the elevation of His Grace Bishop Neofitos Kong’ai of Eldoret to the rank of Metropolitan.

The decision comes in recognition of more than 10 years of dedicated service to the Holy See of Saint Mark. Bishop Neofitos was first elected to the episcopacy on November 26, 2014, and has since served in several dioceses under the spiritual leadership of His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II.

Bsp. Neofitos is elevated to the rank of Metropolitan. Photo: orthodoxiapost.com

In a post on his Facebook page, His Eminence said:

With all considerations in place and in his wisdom and love and in agreement with all the hierarchs of the Holy Synod, our Patriarch elevated me to the Holy Office of the Metropolitan of the Holy Diocese of Eldoret and Northern Kenya which upon my elevation, it automatically became the Holy Metropolis of Eldoret and Northern Kenya. From the bottom of my heart and with profound humility, I thank His Beatitude Theodoros II Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa for his love, spiritual guidance and support.

Following my elevation, I was also awarded the badge of the golden cross with the star of St. Savas the Sanctified for serving the Patriarchate as a bishop for the last 11 years with zeal, love, preaching, teaching and defending the faith. It's my prayer that I will continue to do so as long as I live for the glory of God.

With his elevation, His Grace now bears the official title His Eminence Metropolitan Neofitos Kong’ai of the Holy Metropolis of Eldoret and Northern Kenya. 

Born in 1970 in Kesengei, Nandi District, Kenya, Metropolitan Neofitos is a graduate of the Patriarchal Seminary of Archbishop Makarios III in Nairobi and holds a Master of Theological Studies from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston. He has also pursued doctoral studies in Pastoral Theology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Ordained to the diaconate and priesthood in 1998, he served in parishes and at the Patriarchal Academy in Nairobi before being consecrated Archimandrite in 2005. His episcopal ministry has included leadership of the dioceses of Nyeri and Mount Kenya, and later Eldoret and Northern Kenya.

His Eminence has also had several speaking engagements in the United States about the growth of Orthodoxy in Africa and the need for support from the faithful around the world.

Previously, UOJ reported that the newly constructed Cathedral of Saint Mark was officially consecrated in Kapsabet, Nandi County, marking a historic milestone for the Orthodox Church in Kenya.

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