On 23rd September 2023 His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa received at the Patriarchal See the visit of a delegation from the University of Patras, made up of the Rector, Erudite Professor Christos Bouras, the Vice Chancellor, Erudite Professor Dionysios Mantzavinos and the General Director of Financial Affairs and Student Welfare Mr. Charalambos Rodopoulos. The above delegation was accompanied by His Excellency Professor Angelos Syrigos, Member of Parliament for Athens, former Deputy Minister of Education.
During his address, His Beatitude referred to the glorious theological past of the Alexandrian Church, as well as to its current missionary and humanitarian work, while the Rector extensively developed the academic work of the University of Patras and the vision of the scientific activity that it will develop in the City of Alexander the Great. He also expressed the awe of the members of the delegation for the fact that they are in the God-walked land of Egypt, the land of the Holy Fathers and ancient scientists and philosophers.
An exchange of commemorative gifts followed, as well as a tour of the premises of the Patriarchate. Present during the visit were His Eminence Panteleimon Metropolitan of Naucratis, Chief Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Patriarchate, and His Eminence Narcissus Metropolitan of Pelusium, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria.
It is noted that the previous evening, September 22nd His Beatitude went to the premises of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria (HCA), where he greeted and paternally blessed the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the University of Patras and the above-mentioned Community, through the Rector Mr. Christos Bouras and the President of the ECAMr. Andreas Vafiadis. “The Memorandum, which is under the auspices of the Honorable President of the Hellenic Parliament, we believe will greatly contribute to the field of cooperation of our Community, giving special prestige through university educational upgrading”, pointed out the His Beatitude.
His Excellency Mr. Angelos Syrigos, former Deputy Minister of Education, Member of Parliament as a representative of the President of the Parliament, stated that “the entire project was embraced by the Hellenic Parliament and that this in itself gives special momentum to the efforts of the contributors who are the Hellenic Community of Alexandria and the University of Patras”. Furthermore, he praised the initiative of the two sides and emphasized that the State will support this project, primarily for the benefit of the Hellenic community.
The signing ceremony was also attended by His Eminence Panteleimon Metropolitan of Naucratis, His Excellency the Ambassador of Greece to Egypt Mr. Nikolaos Papageorgiou, the President of the Cypriot Brotherhood of Alexandria Ms. Maria Formosi, teachers and representatives of historical Associations and parish organizations of the Great City.
