On 22nd September 2016, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, received at the patriarchal See the visits of His Excellency the Minister of National Defense Mr. Panos Kammenos and His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Mr. Ioannis Amanatides, with a large group from the two ministries as part of their visit to Egypt.
His Beatitude warmly welcomed the two government officials in the Throne Room, in the presence of His Eminence Narcissos Metropolitan of Accra, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria, His Grace Meletios Bishop of Naucratis and the Clergy of the Patriarchate.
In his address, he thanked firstly the Minister Mr Kammenos for whatever the Greek Army contributes throughout Africa towards the Missions, for example the bells which are made at the foundries of the shipyards of the Greek Naval Fleet and prayed for the Christ-loving Greek army.
He then went on to welcome fervently the Deputy Minister Mr. Amanatides, thanking him for the assistance and care of our Mother Homeland for the Ancient Patriarchate, and asked both Ministers to never forget the Greeks of Egypt who still hold the Thermopylae of Hellenism and Orthodoxy in the glorious Land of the Nile.
On the occasion of this visit and his manifest gratitude to the two Ministers, His Beatitude awarded them both t=with the Grand Cross of St Savvas. In conclusion, the two important guests, following their private meeting with the Alexandrian Primate on issues related to the duties of the two Ministries and the Ancient Patriarchate, were taken on a conducted tour of the Patriarchal Museums and commemorative gifts were exchanged.
The two members of the Greek Government were accompanied by the Chief of the Armed Forces Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, His Excellency the Ambassador of Greece to Egypt Mr Michael Chrisots Diamessis, the Consul General of Greece in Alexandria Mr Emm Kakvelakis, the Special Secretary of Religious and Cultural Diplomacy Dr Efstathios Lianos Liantis, other high-ranking officials of the two Ministries and Representatives of the Hellenic Community.
