On 12th December 2007, His Beatitude Theodorors II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa concelebrated at the Holy Monastery of St Savvas the Sanctified at the hierarchal Divine Liturgy which was conducted by Metropolitan Spyridon of Kanopou, Hegumen of the monastery, on the occasion of his Name Day. His Beatitude then gave the homily, speaking of the life and work of St Spyridon.
He then went on to receive in the Patriarchal Office His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veroia, Naoussa and Kampania, who was accompanied by many priests and lay people from Veroia. His Eminence addresses His Beatitude and expressed the joy and emotion of the entire group on being at the ancient, Missionary Patriarchate. He gave His Beatitude a pastoral staff as a token of respect for and mutual assistance for the work of the Alexandrian Church.
In his reply, His Beatitude referred to the many years of friendship and spiritual relations between them, when His Beatitude was studying at the Theological Faculty in Thessaloniki and was being hosted by the Holy Monastery of St Theodora. His Beatitude mentioned the love and support of the then Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki, Archimandrite Panteleimon Kalafas, now Metropolitan of Veroia, as well as the paternal love of the late Metropolitan Panteleimon of Thessaloniki. “Your Eminence, I will never forget when I used to knock on the door of the late Metropolitan Panteleimon of Thessaloniki, he never allowed me to leave without helping me…When I am next in Thessaloniki, I would like to light a candle at his tomb and to say a heartfelt thank you to him for his love…” Speaking then directly to the Metropolitan of Veroia, he said: “At this point I address my great and beloved brother Panteleimon, to you who supported me and always had a good word to say to me, always standing by me when, as a missionary Metropolitan I would come to visit you…”
His Beatitude then ended by giving His Eminence a hierarchal staff decorated in the Coptic style, as a token of his love. His Eminence was visibly moved when thanking His Beatitude, promising him the Holy Metropolis of Veroia would always assist the work of the Patriarchate.
His Beatitude then also warmly welcomed His Grace Dimitrios of Thermos (of the Ecumenical Patriarchate) who was accompanying the group. He made special mention of the significant contribution made by the Hierarch to the Hellenes of Germany during difficult times.
