On 1st August 2015, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, together with His Excellency the Ambassador of Greece to Cairo Mr. Christodoulos Lazaris and His Grace Meletios Bishop of Naucratis, welcomed to the Patriarchal See the Cadets of the Hellenic Naval Academy to Alexandria, within the framework of the training voyage 2015 which is ongoing in Alexandria at present.
The Cadets were accompanied by the Defence Attaché of Greece in Cairo Captain Ioannis Diamantakis, the Captain of the landing craft “IKARIA” Commander Ioannis Karatzas, Commander Savvas Chozos and Officers of the Academy.
During the meeting, His Beatitude spoke of the history and the missionary activities of the ancient Patriarchate on the African continent, thanked the Navy for the free construction and transport of bells for the needs of the churches throughout Africa and wished the cadets a good career.
The Commander and His Beatitude the Patriarch then exchanged commemorative gifts and the Cadets had the opportunity of being guided though the Patriarchate, the Museum and the Patriarchal Sacristy.
On the evening of the dame day, His Beatitude the Patriarch, accompanied by His Grace the Bishop of Naucratis, went to the Naval Port of Alexandria and boarded the Landing craft “IKARIA”, reciprocating the visit of the Cadets of the Naval Academy.
At the reception hosted on the Ship, the Alexandrian Primate had the opportunity of private discussion with the Chief of the Egyptian Navy, Admiral Mohamed Ahmed Mahmoud, the Director of the Naval Port of Alexandria General Mohamed Kesky and the Director of the Office of the Minister of National Defense of Egypt, and watched traditional folk dances performed by the dance department of the Academy.
