On 24th march 2009, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa officiated at the Service of Great Vespers at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Alexandria . Together with His Beatitude were His Grace Bishop Gabriel of Mareotis, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria and His Grace Bishop Spyridon of Kanopou, Hegumen of the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St Savvas the Sanctified in Alexandria .
On 25th March 2009, His Beatitude conducted the Divine Liturgy and preached the homily at the cathedral in Alexandria , together with both the above-named Bishops.
At the Eucharistic gathering, the hymns of which were sung in Greek by the large African choir of students from the Patriarchal Academy of Alexandria “Athanasios the Great”, present were the Parliamentarians Mrs. Paraskeve Bouzali and Vasilios Gerehides, as representatives of the Hellenic Parliament, together with the Honourable Consul General of Greece in Alexandria, Mr. George Diakofotakis, the Chairman of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria Mr. Haralambos Katsibris, the Chairman of the Cyprus Brotherhood Mr. Haralambos Haralambides, teachers and pupils from the Greek Schools of Alexandria and other dignitaries.
An official doxology was then sung for the National Day, during which the Honourable Consul General Mr. Diakofotakis read the message from His Excellency the President of Greece Mr Karolos Papoulias to Greeks living abroad.
Later, His Beatitude welcomed to the Patriarchal Mansion the Parliamentarians and then went on to the Consular residence and attended the official reception held on our National Day. Also present at the reception was His Excellency the Governor of Alexandria Mr. Adel Habib, with whom His Beatitude discussed issues regarding the general work of the ancient Patriarchate. Many Hellenes from the Community were also present, as were representatives of the Arabic-speaking Orthodox community, foreign diplomatic and consular officials, university dignitaries and representatives of local government of Alexandria .
