THEOPHANY AT THE ALEXANDRIAN PATRIARCHATE
On 5th January 2009, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, officiated at the Service of Great Hours and the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Church of St Savvas the Sanctified in Alexandria .
During the celebration of Theophany, His Beatitude officiated at the festive Divine Liturgy, as well as at the Services of the Greater Blessing of Water, together with His Grace Gabriel of Mareotis, at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Alexandria . Present also were the Honourable Consul General of Greece Mr. George Diakofotakis, representatives of the Hellenic Community, the Cypriot Brotherhood, Hellenic Societies and Associations of the Great City as well as many faithful Christians.
Immediately after the Liturgy, His Beatitude officially received Mr. Adel Abib, Governor of Alexandria, in the Patriarchal See, who was accompanied by many high ranking officials of local Government, State Security and other officials of the country.
Addressing his high ranking guest, His Beatitude emphasized the excellent relations and the peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims in Egypt , and stressed the traditionally excellent cooperation between Egypt and Greece . He also made mention of the prospects of further activities of the Second Throne Patriarchate on the African continent, thanked President Hosni Mubarak for the support and protection towards the general work of the Patriarchate and ended by saying: May God bless Egypt , its President, the Greek and Egyptian people”.
In his reply, His Excellency Mr Abib, expressed the joy and honour he feels when in the ancient Patriarchate and in the presence of its Primate, passed on the special love of His Excellency the President and of the people of Egypt towards the Greeks and the Alexandrian Church and spoke of his imminent journey to the Greek capital, following an official invitation by the Mayor of Athens, Mr. Nikitas Kaklamanis.
A reception followed, during which His Beatitude awarded the Governor the Emblem of the Patriarchate, the winged Lion of St Mark. Present also at the meeting were the Honourable Consul General of Greece in Alexandria , Mr. George Diakofotakis, Hellenic officials and many faithful.
At noon, His Beatitude officiated at eh ceremony of the Blessing of the waters at the Hellenic Nautical Claub of Alexandria, then he blessed the Vasilopitta, and its Chairman, Mr. Edmond Kasimatis, hosted an official lunch in honour of the Patriarch and the Officials, during which gifts were exchanged.