On Palm Sunday, 28th March 2010, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, conducted the Divine Liturgy and preached the homily in the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theototkos in Pretoria, South Africa, together with His Eminence Seraphim, Metropolitan of Johannesburg and South Africa.
Following the end of the Liturgy His Beatitude gave gifts to all the children who were in the church.
The Hellenic Community of Pretoria then hosted an official lunch in honour of His Beatitude and the Greek Schools of the South African capital presented a festive function. The dancers taught by Mrs Mary Vasiliou, who has been honoured by the Alexandrian Primate and named as Lady Mother of Hellenism, presented dances from many regions of Greece.
The event ended with a greeting by His Beatitude, who congratulated all, praised the work of the Chairman Mr Nicholas Kakoulas and the members of the Hellenic Community of Pretoria, congratulated the Parish Priest Archimandrite Michael Visvinis for his productive parish activity and praised all for keeping our traditions.
The liturgical and festive events were attended by His Excellency the Ambassador of Greece in South Africa Mr Spyridon Theoharopoulos, their Excellencies the Ambassadors of Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Ukraine and Belarus, Mrs Vasiliki Gounaris Consul General of Greece in Johannesburg, Ms Elena Haralambous, Consul General of Cyprus, Mrs Lemonia PLakidou, Educational Attache for Sub-Sharan Africa, Chairmen of the Greek and Cypriot Communities, Teachers and heads of the Greek Schools, state officials and others.
On the same evening, His Beatitude, together with His Eminence, officiated and preached the homily at the Bridegroom service at the Holy Patriarchal Church of the Unmercenaries in Johannesburg, attended a dinner hosted by the Church Commiittee and visited the neighbouring STEGI AGAPIS of the Holy Metropolis of Johannesburg, which houses suffering Greek homeless people.
