Holy Week Services were performed with religious zeal in all the Holy Churches of Alexandria. His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa performed all the service, visiting all the Parish Communities of the Great City.
Of particular note is the traditional celebration of the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts by the His Beatitude on Holy Monday at the Holy Patriarchal Church of Saint Savvas the Sanctified, the Service of the Passion and the Lamentations of the Epitaphios at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos and the circumambulation Epitaphios around it, officiated by His Beatitude, together with His Eminence Panteleimon Metropolitan of Naucratis and Chief Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod,
Accompanied by the Hellenic Scout Group and the attendance of the Honourable Consul General of Greece in Alexandria Mr. Athanasios Kotisonis, the Honourable Chairman of the Hellenic Community Mr. Andreas Vafiades, the Chairman of the Hellenic Chamber of Commerce Mr Byrn Vafiades, the Chairlady of the Hellenic Naval Club of Alexandria and the Association of Greek Scientists Mrs Lilica Thlivitis, Chairmen and members of Hellenic Associations and organizations, and many believers.
During the circumambulation of the holy Epitaphios, His Beatitude the Patriarch offered prayers for the repose of His venerable Predecessors in front of the Patriarchal Palace, while he expressed his gratitude to Their Excellencies the Presidents of the Egyptian and Cypriot Republics, as well as to the President of the Hellenic Republic, for the undivided support of the respective states towards the ancient Patriarchate.
Likewise, he expressed his just praise and paternal wishes to the venerable Hierarchy and the holy clergy for their sacrificial ministry and multilateral missionary work towards the peoples of Africa.
On the morning of Great and Holy Friday, the Service of the Great Hours and the Vespers of the Deposition were held in the Holy Church of Saint Savvas, while later His Beatitude the Patriarch visited and venerated all the Churches and the Greek Cemetery of Great City, where he offered up a memorial prayer for the repose of the souls of Christians who over the centuries have fallen asleep.
Photos by Mr. Grigorios Haliakopoulos, Journalist H.CA.
