The holy services of Great and Holy Week were conducted in all the churches of Alexandria and Cairo with faith and piety. The beautiful churches, the clergy and the chanters drew many visitors who wished to celebrate these holy days together with the Christians of Egypt, daily visiting the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria. All were welcomed by His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa and received his blessing.
In Alexandria the Venerable Primate of the Throne of St Mark officiated at the holy services, visiting the parish communities of the Great City . The Service of the Epitaphios was particularly splendid at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation in Alexandria , conducted by His Beatitude and accompanied by His Grace Bishop Gabriel of Mareotis Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria and His Grace Genadios of Nilopolis Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod. They were led by the Philharmonic band, and the scouts. The Consul General of Greece Mr George Diakofotakis was present, as were the Leaders of the Hellenic Community. His Beatitude visited all the Churches of the Great City on that day to venerate at them all.
His Beatitude conducted the Divine Liturgy of the Resurrection at the Holy Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Alexandria , together with both the above-named Hierarchs. He had earlier received the Holy Flame from Jerusalem which had been transported from Athens to the Patriarchal See on a special Olympic Airways flight.
On Sunday of Pascha he officiated at the Vespers of Love at the Holy Patriarchal Church of St Savvas the Sanctified in Alexandria .
On Monday of Bright Week, 28th April 2008, His Beatitude received at the Patriarchal See His Grace Bishop Nikodimos of Nitria, Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo, together with the Hegumen of the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St George Old Cairo, Archimandrite Niphon Tsavaris and the clergy of the Patriarchal Vicariate, who had come to pay their respects and wish His Beatitude as is the custom.
