On 2nd April 2014, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, welcomed to the Patriarchal See Mr. Emmanuel Pattakos, Chairman of the “Kourites” Folklore Association from Crete, as well as the members of the dance Group, who are in Alexandria for their participation in the 2nd International Festival of Traditional Dances which is currently taking place in Egypt.
His Beatitude listened to traditional songs from his birthplace of Crete, spoke to the members of the Kourites Association about the glorious two-thousand year history of the ancient Patriarchate as well as about its missionary activities throughout Africa, personally took them on a conducted tour of the Archaeological Museum and the Patriarchal Sacristy within the Patriarchal Mansion, awarded Mr. Emmanuel Pattakos the Golden Lion of the Order of Alexandria and in conclusion exchanged commemorative gifts, also giving all of them his Patriarchal blessing.
The visitors were accompanied by the Honorable Consul General of Greece in Alexandria Mr. Christos Kapodistrias and the Chairman of the Hellenic Cultural Institution of Alexandria, Mr. Emmanuel Marangoulis.
