The little “Spiti Agapis”, the little hostel of the Hellenic Community of Khartoum, which hosts ten children, young and older, was visited by His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa on the afternoon of Sunday 28th February 2010 together with His Eminence Emmanuel Metropolitan of Khartoum and His Grace Niphon.
The children, together with the ladies of the hostel waited for the Venerable Primate of the Throne of St Mark in front of the entrance of the beautiful building.
His Beatitude was shown around the building and the dormitories of the children, spoke with the children and was photographed with them, and gave a large monetary donation for the needs of the hostel. On his departure he promised to assist the efforts of extending this place of love and comfort for the little children.
FAREWELL RECEPTION OF LOVE FOR THE PATRIARCH OF LOVE
The Hellenic Community of Khartoum created a beautiful evening on Sunday 28th February in honour of His Beatitude at the appropriately decorated Hall of the Hellenic Sports Club.
His Beatitude, accompanied by His Eminence Emmanuel, Metropolitan of Khartoum, His Grace Niphon, Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of Greece and Egypt, the Chairman of the Hellenic Community, the Chairperson of the Hellenic Sports Club, the entire Greek community and the children of the school, listened in deep emotion to the singing of the three National Anthems: of Greece, Sudan and Egypt. A traditional Sudanese group then danced local dances.
Among the invited guests were the Ambassadors of Russia, France and Canada, the Consul General of Jordan, representatives of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Sudan and other Ambassadors of African Countries.
His Beatitude was addressed by the Chairman of the Hellenic Community Mr. Xenophon Karapanayiotis who, on behalf of his Council gave His Beatitude a local Sudanese wooden sculpture depicting local scenes as a gift of gratitude and respect to the Patriarch.
Next to address the Patriarch was Mrs. Alexandra Paterakis, the Chairperson of the Hellenic Sports Club, who on behalf of her Committee, gave the Patriarch a set of candlesticks.
It is worth noting the presence of the Association of Greek Educated Sudanese, who studied in Greece for many years and know the Greek language and Greek traditions, and whose representative gave a silver tray to the Patriarch.
The children of the Greek school, Primary, High School and Lyceum, then presented a programme of Greek dancing taught to them by their teachers Xanthe Sotiropoulou and the Nursery School teacher Despina Andreadou and the Principal Mrs. Sophia Paxivanis; they ended by singing songs from Crete, His Beatitude’s birthplace.
Ending, His Beatitude thanked all for the efforts they make to maintain the faith of our fathers and our traditions in the hospitable country of Sudan.
