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NEW YEAR’S DAY AT THE PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA

            On 31st December, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, received in his Private Patriarchal Office, as is usual, His Eminence Gabriel Metropolitan of Leontopolis, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria together with the rest of the clergy of the Patriarchate and of the Holy Archdiocese of Alexandria, who sang carols and gave their festive wishes. He then heard carols and received wishes for the new year of salvation, 2014, from the African students of the “Agios Athansios” Patriarchal Academy of Alexandria; he also received the staff of the Patriarchate. To all of them His Beatitude gave gifts and blessings.

On the evening of the same day His Beatitude officiated at Vespers at the Holy Patriarchal Chapel of Ss Theodori, following which in the Hall of the Throne he presented the activities of the past year 2013 and expressed grateful thanks for the support of the Egyptian and Greek Governments, as well as the Greek and Arabic-speaking communities of Alexandria. In conclusion he blessed the Vasilopitta of the Patriarchate.

Present at this festive gathering were representatives of the Consulate General of Greece in the Great City, the Greek and Arabic Communities of Alexandria and of all Hellenic Societies and Associations.

On 1st January 2014 His Beatitude officiated during the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Alexandria and conducted the Doxology for the beginning of the New Year, together with His Eminence Gabriel Metropolitan of Leontopolis and the holy clergy.

At noon on New Year’s Day His Beatitude visited the oged who are cared for at the Old Aged Home of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria, to whom he gave gifts and blessings.