On 20th July 2009, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa received in the Patriarchal See the members of the Pancretan Association of America, who had arrived in Alexandria by boat from Crete. The P.A. of America is holding its annual general meeting on board.
In the Throne Room His Beatitude addressed the visitors who were accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Irenaios of Crete, His Grace Anthimos of Olympus, and the Governor of Hania, and spoke of the multifaceted work of the ancient Patriarchate on the African continent, and told them of his joy at the visit of his compatriots to the Great City.
The Chairman of the P. A. Mr. Emmanuel Velivasakis praised the excellent and fruitful work of the Patriarch, expressing also the ceaseless support of the Association for it, and the Chairman of the Ladies’ Committee of the P.A. donated school stationery for the children of Africa.
His Beatitude then awarded His Eminence Archbishop Irenaios of Crete the Commander with Star of the Lion of St mark and to Mr Velivasakis the Cross First Class of the Patriarchate.
A reception followed as well as a guided tour of the large group of visitors, to the Patriarchal mansion, the Patriarchal Library and the Holy cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos.
His Beatitude then went to the boat on which the Americans are travelling, greeted the work of the annual general meeting and then attended a lunch hosted in his honour.
