The ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria was visited successively on Tuesday, September 26th 2023, by the captains and officers of the warships the Frigate “Regina Maria” of the Romanian Navy and the Frigate “Navarino” of the Hellenic Navy, which sailed into the port of Alexandria, via Souda, Crete, within the framework of NATO’s “Sea Guardian” exercise for security in the Eastern Mediterranean. During the reception of the men of the Navy, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, referred to its current productive presence and missionary activity in Africa.
For their part, Commander of the Naval Force of the NATO Operation, Naval Captain Ioannis Retsos who was also present and the Commanders of the warships the Frigate “Regina Maria”, Commander Mr. Mitel Laurentiu Alexandru and the Frigate “Navarino”, Naval Vice Captain Stylianos Madentzidis, expressed the joy and blessing they felt visiting the Patriarchal See, while praising the sacrificially accomplished ministry of the Second Throne Church on the African continent. An exchange of commemorative gifts followed.
The Greek Naval officers were accompanied by Naval Captains Michael Tsiligakis, Defense Attaché of Greece in Cairo and Mr. Konstantinos Varouxis, Liaison of the Greek Navy with the corresponding Egyptian Navy.
It is noted that the Greek mission also includes a delegation from the Coast Guard of Georgia, which is also taking part in the “Sea Guardian” exercise
