On Sunday 10th January 2010, His Beatitude, together with His Grace Nikodimos, Bishop of Nitria and Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo, conducted the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of the Theotokos in Heliopolis, , honouring the biblical event of the “Flight of the Holy Family to Egypt”.
Addressing the vast crowds His Beatitude spoke of the theological meaning of the feast, and in ending praised the productive service of Archimandrite Isidoros Salakos, Dean of the Church and the Church Committee. The cutting of the Vasilopitta of the Parish Community followed.
Present at this spiritual festive gathering were the Charge d’ Affaires of the Greek Embassy in Egypt Mr Dimitrios Zevelakis, The Honorary consul General of Greece in Cairo Mr. Gregory Vasilokonstantakis, The Honorary Consul General of Cyprus Mr Haris Moritsis, The Chairman of the Arab Orthodox Community Mr Robert Hosni, the Secretary of the Hellenic Community of Cairo Mr Clement (Klimis) Flevotomas, community members and other dignitaries.
The next day, 11th January 2010, His Beatitude visited the Greek Embassy in the Egyptian Capital, where he blessed the Vasilopitta. Addressing the Charge d’ Affaires Mr Zevelakis, His Beatitude expressed the gratitude of the Alexandrian Church to Greece for the support and the hope of overcoming the financial and social problems which exist.
In thanking the Patriarch, Mr Zevelakis said: “May the new year 2010 have peace and creativity always under your protection, Your Beaitude”. Present at the cutting of the Vasilopitta were the Honorary Consul General Mr Vasilokonstantakis and the staff of the Embassy.
