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While Christianity, representing about forty-five percent of the population, has been present in the nation for many centuries, an Orthodox Christian presence has only been a recent arrival, brought by Greek traders. Hieromonk [[Nektarios (Kellis) of Madagascar|Nectarios (Kellis)]] began to evangelize and preach to the local population in 1994. By 1999 there were about twelve thousand believers.
The republic was initially included in the [[Archdiocese of Zimbabwe]]. In 1997, the [[Diocese of Madagascar]] was established under a Patriarchal and Synodal decree by the Patriarchate of Alexandria. In addition to the Republic of Madagascar the [[diocese ]] includes the Islands of Mauritius, Reunion, Comores, and Maillot.
==Source==