On the morning of 31st December 2011 His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa received in the Private Patriarchal Office the African students of the “Agios Athanasios” Patriarchal Academy of Alexandria who sang traditional carols for him. His Beatitude assured the students that his paternal care and concern for them will be undiminished even after the completion of their studies, during their future service in the countries from which they have come. Thereafter His Beatitude received visits from the Philoptochos Brotherhood members of the Arabic-Speaking Community of Alexandria, who came to pay their respects at the dawning of the New Year.
On the afternoon of the same day His Beatitude received, as is customary, the clergy of the Holy Archdiocese of Alexandria, who sang the carols and gave him their festive wishes; he also received the rest of the staff of the Patriarchate. To all, His Beatitude gave his paternal love and gave them gifts and blessings.
His Beatitude then officiated at the Great Vespers at the Holy Chapel of Ss Theodoroi, following which in the packed Hall of the Throne he presented the minutes of 2010, expressed his grateful thanks to the Egyptian President Mr Hosni Mubarak for his support for the spiritual and missionary work of the Alexandrian Church, to the Greek Government via the Honourable Consul General of Greece in Alexandria Mr. George Diakofotakis and to the Hellenic and Arabic Orthodox Communities of Alexandria. On behalf of the Clergy His Grace Gabriel Bishop of Mareotis, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria, addressed His Beatitude. Lastly, the Venerable Primate of the Throne of St Mark blessed the Vasilopita of the Patriarchate.
Present at this festive gathering were the Honourable Consul General in the Great City, representatives of the Hellenic and Arabic Orthodox Communities, as well as of the Greek Societies and Associations and many faithful.
On 1st January 2011, His Beatitude officiated at the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Alexandria and conducted the Doxology for the beginning of the new year, together with His Grace Gabriel, Bishop of Mareotis and Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria and the clergy of the Great City.
At noon on January 1st he visited the elderly people at the Kaniskerion Old Age Hone in Alexandria and attended the festive lunch.
