30 YEARS FROM THE PASSING OF PATRIARCH NICHOLAS VI OF ALEXANDRIA

On the evening of 8th July 2016, a literary memorial in commemoration of the Late Patriarch of Alexandria, Nicholas VI, took place at the Theoharakis Institute in Athens, for the 30th anniversary from his passing to the Lord.

The function was honoured by the attendance of His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Athens His Eminence Amphilohios Metropolitan of Andrianopolis, the representative of the Archbishop of Athens His Eminence Damaskinos Metropolitan of Velestino, the representative of the Most Holy Sepulchre Fr. George and Office Bearer Archons of the Alexandrian Throne as well as many people.

The main speaker at the function was the Great Logothetis of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and President of the Ancient Order of the Paravalenes of St Savvas, Mr. Spyridon Kamalakis, who extensively developed for the audience, the personality and contribution of the Blessed Patriarch to the Missionary efforts in Africa, and Mrs. Litsa Hatzifoti who eloquently read excerpts from the book written by her husband who is from Egypt, Mr. Ioannis Hatzifotis which speak of the funeral of Patriarch Nicholas VI.

In conclusion, His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II spoke, and with much emotion told of the manner in which he got to know Patriarch Nicholas VI, from the time when he was still a Deacon in the Lambis and Sfakion Metropolis, and then spoke of his appointment during the tenure of Patriarch Nicholas VI as Patriarchal Exarch in Odessa, the special grace of forbearance and forgiveness for all who had hurt him, particularly in the last years of his life; very strong shivers of emotion were felt by the entire audience when His Beatitude recounted the final moments of life, of this kind Patriarch, when he took his final breath in the arms of the then Exarch of Moscow and Present Patriarch Theodoros, during a journey to Russia.

At the event Byzantine hymns were sung by a choir from Athens, and everyone was given a booklet about the Late Patriarch Nicholas VI of Alexandria, edited by Mr. Spyridon Kamalakis.