MEETING OF HIS BEATITUDE WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS

An official and cordial meeting took place today, June 24, at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia between His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa and His Excellency the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides.

His Beatitude expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Cypriot Government for its steadfast and valuable support for the missionary work of the Patriarchate, and in particular to the President himself, for his personal sensitivity and practical love for the Orthodox Mission.

In the context of strengthening cooperation, it was decided to send a medical team from the Cyprus Presidency, in coordination with the Patriarchate of Alexandria, to strengthen the Patriarchate’s charitable and medical activity in various regions of Africa, where the healthcare needs are great and immediate.

His Beatitude officially invited His Excellency the President to attend the upcoming inauguration of the Grand Center being built in the New Administrative Capital of Egypt, on a plot of land generously donated by His Excellency the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mr. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The Center will bear the name “Friendship Center of the Peoples of Greece, Cyprus and Egypt”, constituting a living symbol of unity, peace and intercultural cooperation of the three countries.

During the meeting, His Beatitude did not fail to reaffirm the firm and unwavering position of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in favor of a peaceful and just resolution of the Cyprus Issue. He expressed his warm wish that a just and sustainable solution be found as soon as possible, with respect for human rights and international law, ensuring the unity and security of the Cypriot people.

At the same time, the Patriarch did not hide his anxiety about the escalating tension in the Middle East, emphasizing that peace is the only realistic and God-given path to resolving all conflicts and misunderstandings between nations. He prayed fervently for reconciliation and peaceful coexistence among the peoples of the region.

On behalf of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Cyprus, who has maintained a long-standing friendly relationship with His Beatitude since his tenure at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, deep respect and gratitude were expressed for the invaluable contribution of the Patriarchate in Africa and worldwide. The President reiterated the steadfast support of the Republic of Cyprus for the work of the Patriarchate and praised the contribution of the Orthodox Mission to the strengthening of humanity, solidarity and world peace.

His Beatitude was accompanied during his official visit by His Grace Nikodimos Bishop of Nitria, Exarch of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in Cyprus, as well as the Very ReverendArchimandrite Athinodoros Papaevrypiadis.

The meeting was sealed with a spirit of mutual esteem and fraternal cooperation, reflecting the deep and timeless relationship of trust between the Patriarchate of Alexandria and the Republic of Cyprus.