PATRIARCHAL DIVINE LITURGY IN CAIRO
On Sunday 18th January 2009, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa together with His Eminence Nicholas Metropolitan of Ermopolis, Patriarchal Vicar of the Arabic-speaking Orthodox Christians and His Grace Nikodimos, Bishop of Nitria, Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo, conducted the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of the Holy Theotokos in Heliopolis, Cairo, honouring the biblical event of the “Flight into Egypt of the Holy Family”.
Speaking to the large congregation, His Beatitude spoke of the life and works of the three great figures of the Alexandrian Church, Saints and Patriarchs of Alexandria Cyril and Athanasios and the Venerable Anthony, who struggles and teachings are the heritage of the Church under Heaven.
Immediately afterwards, His Beatitude honoured the great benefactors of the Holy Church , Mr and Mrs Kyriakos and Styliani Kyriazis, “a blessed couple” whose “hearts are hearts full of love for the entire Church”.
For their significant contribution, His Beatitude thanked them and on behalf of the entire parish community and awarded them the Star of the Ancient Patriarchate. He then blessed the Vasilopitta of the Church.
Present at this gathering were His Excellency the Ambassador of Greece in Egypt, Mr John Alexios Zepos, His Excellency the Ambassador of Cyprus, Mr Petros Eftychiou, the Honourable Consul General of Greece in Cairo, Mr Gregory Vasilokonstantakis, the Chairman of the Arabic Speaking Community Mr Robert Hosni, Community Members from Cairo, representatives of societies and other dignitaries.
That evening, His Beatitude attended a reception hosted at the Consular residence by the Consul Mr Gregory Vasilokonstantakis and attended by the Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo, His Grace Nikodimos, the Greek Ambassador Mr Zepos, the Chairman of the Hellenic Community of Cairo Mr Christos Kavalis, members of the Administrative Committee of the HCC, representatives if Hellenic Societies and Associations, state officials and other dignitaries.