A new beginning for the historic Association of Greek Graduates of the Ambetios School in Cairo took place when they officially presented the fully renovated club on 9th April 2011 in the presence of His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa.
Inviting the Venerable Primate of the Orthodox Church of Africa to conduct the service of the Blessing of the Waters, the Chairlady of the Association, Mrs Villy Politou said that his presence was a promising sign for the continuation of the Association for many more years.
On his part, His Beatitude expressed his amazement at the completed works in the club, and emphasized the “significance of maintaining all these places that we have today so that we can pass them on to the future generations”, while at the same time mentioning the efforts of maintaining the Holy Monastery of St George in Old Cairo.
“Fervent congratulations” were addressed to those responsible by His Beatitude, who said that “in the times in which we are living, with the crises and the stalemates which the world is facing, what we all seek is a simple beautiful corner to sit in, to see each other face to face…”. Wishing to express the satisfaction of the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria, he donated an icon of Christ the Saviour.
Addressing the Chairlady,, Mrs Villy Politou, he expressed his gratitude for her love for the community. He honoured her by awarding her the Golden Lion of the Patriarchate.
Mrs Politou did not hide her emotions and her surprise on receiving this honour and thanked His Beatitude. She also expressed the gratitude of the Association to Mr. Christos Kavalis, Chairman of the Hellenic Community of Cairo and the Members of the Management Committee of Cairo who donated ⅔ of the renovation costs of the Club.
The Chairman of the HCC, Mr Christos Kavalis, congratulated Mrs Politou and then spoke of the significant experiences which all the graduates of the Ambetios School have in this historic place. As for the donation by the Hellenic Community of Cairo, Mr Kavalis stressed that they feel it is their duty to assist in all the efforts of the Hellenic Associuations in the Egyptian capital, “more so when the HCC sees work being done”. “With these efforts we will not lay down arms, we will fight for a better tomorrow, facing head on the difficulties which are only for the strong…” said Mr Kavalis.
Present at the function were His Grace Nikodimos Bishop of Nitria, Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo and His Grace Niphon, Hegumen of the Holy Monastery of St George in Old C airo, the Exarch of the Moscow Patriarchate Archimandrite Leonid Gorbacev, the Honourable Consul General of Greece in Cairo Mr Ioannis Hatzantonakis, the Honourable Consul General of Cyprus Mr Stavrinou, the Educational Attaché of the Greek Embassy Mrs Eleni Damala, the Educational Attaché of North Africa and the Middle East Mr Ioannis Stavropoulos, the Vice-Chairman of the Hellenic Community of Cairo Mr Kimis Flevotomas, the Chairman of the Hellenic Centre of Cairo Mr Nicholas Politis, the Chairman of the Orthodox Spiritual Patriarchal Centre Mr George Zoumboulides, the Director of the Hellenic Cultural Centre of Cairo Mr Christos Papadopoulos and other dignitaries.
