On 4th December 2009, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa officiated at the Great Vespers at Holy Patriarchal Church of St Savvas the Sanctified in Alexandria, together with Their Graces Gabirel of Mareotis, Patriarchal Vicar in Alexandria and Gennadios of Nilopolis, Secretary of the Holy Synod. Before the end of the service His Beatitude preached the homily and gave the Sacristan of the Patriarchate, Archimandrite Meletios Koumanis, a silver paten and chalice to be placed in the Sacristy of the Patriarchal Church as a personal offering on the completion of five years from his elevation to the Patriarchal Throne of St Mark.
On the day of the Feast, 5th December, His Beatitude conducted the Divine Liturgy in the above-named church, together with the Bishops of Mareotis and Nilopolis, who also preached the homily as a representative of His Beatitude, expressing his gratitude to the Government of Cyprus and personally to His Excellency President Dimitri Christofias for the substantial monetary donation to the Patriarchate, in order that the Holy Monastery of St Savvas can be renovated. He also announced that on 17th January 2010 the official inauguration of the Museum would take place – the museum dedicated to the memory of Patriarch Nicholas VI and situated within the Patriarchal Mansion.
A festive reception followed during which His Beatitude donated a traditional Pontian outfit to the Lyceum of Greek Ladies which is hosted within the Patriarchal Monastery of St Savvas.
