On 17th January 2008, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, conducted the Divine Liturgy at the Patriachal Church of St Savvas the Sanctified in Alexandria , on the feast day of St Anthony the Great, a leading figure of ascetism in the Church of Alexandria during the first Christian years.
On 18th January, accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Hermopolis and His Grace Gabriel ishop of Mareotis, His Beatitude conducted the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of St Anthony of Alexandria , of the Arabic-Speaking Orthodox Community after which he blessed their Vasilopitta and held talks with its members.
He then blessed the Vasilopitta of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria. The simple service, which took place in the historic buildings ot eh community, was attended by His Grace Gabriel of Mareotis, the Honourable Consul General of Greece in Alexandria Mr George Diakofotakis, the President of SAE Mr Stephanos Tamvakis, representatives of Hellenic Associations and Societies and the members of the Hellenic Community of the Great City.