Today, Thursday 30th September 2021, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and Africa, welcomed with great joy to the Patriarchal See, the 20-member basketball team "Hellenic Sports Organization HELLAS-SUDAN“ accompanied by His Eminence Savvas Metropolitan of Nubia, the Chairman of the Hellenic Community of Khartoum and the Representative of the Basketball Federation of Sudan, which is in Alexandria to participate in the Arab Basketball Championship.
His Beatitude, welcoming the athletes to the Throne Room, expressed his joy that they devoted some of their precious time to visit the Historic Center of the Alexandrian Church.
Afterwards, the Patriarch made particular reference to Sudan, the historical region of Nubia, and paralleled the importance of the ancient culture of Nubia for the region of Africa, with the role of Ancient Greek and Ancient Egyptian culture in world culture. In addition, he did not fail to mention the Greek element in the region of Sudan, as he so characteristically put it, we see in Khartoum, in Juba, in Wawa that we have Greek communities and Greek churches.
In addition, the Primate of Alexandria informed the athletes about the multifaceted work of the Patriarchate, which, as he explained to them, may be based in Alexandria, but extends throughout Africa where there are 2000 schools and 3,000 small hospitals.
In closing, His Beatitude addressed the Metropolitan of Nubia and expressed his gratitude for his love and contribution to his flock in Sudan.
On behalf of the team, His Beatitude was thanked by the representative of the Basketball Federation of Sudan, who, as he characteristically stated, knows the struggles of the Patriarch for the smooth coexistence and coexistence of religions on the African continent.
Before leaving the Patriarchate and after being guided to the library and museums of the Patriarchal Palace, the Sudanese athletes, as a sign of respect and honor, presented the Patriarch with a commemorative plaque with the emblem of the team, while on his part His Beatitude awarded the representative of the Basketball Federation of Sudan the medal of the Apostle Mark and presented icons of the Apostle Mark to all the members of the Squad.
