On the morning of Thursday 28th March 2019, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa decorated His Excellency the Ambassador of the Ukraine to Egypt, Mr. Hennadii Latii with the medal of the Superior Commander of the Order of the Lion of Alexandria, on the occasion of his departure from duty. The above modest ceremony took place at the Ukrainian Embassy in Cairo.
In his address, His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II, referred to the particular relations and the historical ties between the Patriarch and the beloved Ukrainian people. “Your Excellency Mr. Ambassador, You are honoured today by the Ancient, Apostolic Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, by my own Patriarchal will and honour, rewarding thereby your exceptional contribution. We are both bonded with our beloved city, of Odessa. The city in which we served for ten whole years, as Exarch of the Patriarchal Throne of Alexandria; the city from which the Greek Revolution began in 1821; the city in which the historic Dependency of our Patriarchate is situated, from which fervently preached though the centuries is the love, the appreciation, the mutual respect between the beloved People of the Ukraine and the Throne of the Holy Glorious Apostle Mark.
With deep emotion, we recall the Institute of Hellenic Culture, as well as the Museum of the Friendly Society (Filiki Etairia), which with the strength from God and His providence, we created in Odessa, through great effort, as the Patriarchal Exarch. We are bonded with the most beloved People of the Ukraine, Your Excellency by Common Faith, the Orthodox Christian Faith, of which the obvious witness is the continuous and harmonious operation of the historic Dependency of our Patriarchate in Odessa, from the time of our late Predecessor Patriarch Christoforos”.
As far as the issue of the Autocephaly of the Ukraine is concerned, His Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch, emphasized that he is watching closely and with prayer, praying and feeling concerned for the well-considered interest of the Orthodox Church. Concluding his speech, His Beatitude wished for His Excellency the Ambassador, a good outcome of the national elections in the Ukraine next Sunday.
Visibly moved, Ambassador Mr. Hennadii Latii wholeheartedly thanked His Beatitude for the particularly great honour and asked for the Patriarchal prayer and blessing for himself and the People of his Homeland.
