On 1st June 2008, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, together with His Eminence Sergios of the Good Hope, conducted the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos is Port Elizabeth.
Speaking to the large congregation His Beatitude spoke of the multifaceted missionary work undertaken by the ancient Patriarchate to the peoples of the African Continent, as well as of the ceaseless concern of the Alexandrian Church for the Greeks living on the continent. He also praised the pastoral activity of the local Metropolitan Sergios, and thanked the Parish Priest, Reverend Protopresbyter George Vakonakis, for his many years of missionary service in the Cameroon .
Before the end of the Liturgy, which was attended by the High Commissioner of Cyprus in South Africa , Mr. Argyros Antoniou, the Consul General of Greece in Cape Town Mr. Spyros Xanthopoulos, Chairmen of Hellenic Communities from the broader area and representatives of Hellenic Organizations, His Beatitude awarded the Cross of the Apostle Mark to Mr. Nicholas Siakos for his contribution to missionary work and Mrs Margarita Paisis and Vasiliki Haralambous for their contribution to the work of the local church.
An official lunch followed in the grounds of the Hellenic Community in honour of His Beatitude.
On 2nd June 2008, His Beatitude returned to Johannesburg , having completed his pastoral visit to the Holy Metropolis of the Good Hope.
