On the morning of Friday 21st February 2020, His Beatitude Theodoros II Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, arrived in Lusaka, capital of Zambia, accompanied by His Eminence Daniel Metropolitan of Aksum, for his second missionary visit to the country.
The Alexandrian Primate was welcomed at the International Airport in Lusaka by the local Metropolitan, His Eminence Ioannis, His Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Egypt Mr. Ahmed Mostafa, the Honourable Honorary Consul of Greece Mr. Michael Krupnick and the Clergy of the Metropolis.
Immediately after his arrival His Beatitude visited Her Excellency the Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, Mrs. Godfridah Sumaili, who welcomed the Alexandrian Primate on behalf of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
Following the meeting His Beatitude and his entourage went to the see of the Metropolis, where he was met by Her Excellency the Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, Mrs. Godfridah Sumaili, His Excellency the Minister of Justice Mr. Given Lubinda, His Eminence the Representative of the Holy See Mr. Gianfranco Gallone, many members of the diplomatic, judicial bodies, the academic community, the entire Hellenic Community of Lusaka and Kitwe, as well as the Community of the “Freedom Fighters”.
In honour of the Patriarch a Doxology was sung at the Chapel in the Metropolitan Residence.
Next, the welcome of His Excellency the First President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, too place in the historic Metropolitan Residence, where he lived through a difficult moment in his life. It was here that an function in his honour took place.
The entire function was dedicated to the Father of the African Republic and the inspirer of all African national liberation movements, as an indication of the recognition of his work in terms of his involvement in the struggle against colonialism in Africa.
In his opening address His Eminence Ioannis Metropolitan of Zambia welcomed the Head of the Orthodox Church on the African Continent and His Excellency President Kaunda, stressing that both leaders fight night and day for freedom from all forms of slavery.
The Patriarch in his address thanked His Excellency President Kaunda for his presence and praised his struggles for the prevalence of peace and democracy in the country. He also referred to all freedom fighters, such as Egyptian President Abdel Nasser, Archbishop Makarios of Cyprus and South African President Nelson Mandela, and their contribution against the colonialist yoke and the violation of human rights in Africa.
Following the Nati0nal Anthem of Zambia, the Alexandrian Primate and His Excellency the President did the unveiling of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda’s bust, which will adorn the courtyard of the Archdiocese of Zambia. This bust is courtesy of Mr Andreas Sardanis
