On 17th March 2019, the Sunday of Orthodoxy, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa officiated during Orthros and conducted the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Alexandria, together with His Eminence Narcissus Metropolitan of Accra, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria and His Grace Nicodemos Bishop of Nitria, Patriarchal Exarch in Cyprus.
Present at the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy were the Consul General of Greece in Alexandria Mr. Athanasios Kotsionis, the Chairman of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria Mr. Edmondos Kasimatis, the Chairlady of the Cypriot Brotherhood in Egypt Mrs. Mary Formoze and the representatives of associations and societies of Alexandria.
Speaking to the congregation the Alexandrian Primate said that “We have not enclosed Orthodoxy in beautiful iconostases. We preach this Orthodoxy to the ends of the African Continent”, pointing out in this way that the Orthodox Church of Africa does not remain in a theoretical dimension of faith but experiences it more through the people that seek the teachings of the Gospel more than any other region of the planet. “And we dedicate this Sunday of Orthodoxy to Mission”.
Before the dismissal of the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude welcomed the new Exarch of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in Cyprus, His Grace Nicodemus, Bishop of Nitria, officially handing him the Patriarchal certificate of appointment, wishing the new Exarch a good and profitable ministry. His Beatitude asked His Grace Nicodemus, emotionally, to convey to the Cypriot Church that the Alexandrian Patriarchate loves this blessed corner of the Mediterranean, the island of saints, our Cyprus, “the golden green leaf in the waters of the Mediterranean”.
Following the Divine Eucharist, the Alexandrian Primate conducted Memorial Prayers for the Benefactors, Founders, Chairmen, Donors and members of the Executive Council of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria.
