CLERGY PROMOTIONS BY THE PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA

His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, in the context of his pastoral visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Holy Dioceses of the Alexandrian Throne, Kinshasa and Kananga, this morning during the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy announced the appointment of two new Patriarchal Vicars to the newly formed Dioceses of Kisangani and Goma.

They are the Very Reverend Archimandrite Polycarpos Diamantopoulos, who is appointed as Patriarchal Vicar of the Diocese of Kananga and the Very Reverend Archimandrite Timothy Douba, who is appointed as Patriarchal Vicar of the Diocese if Goma.

Addressing the new Patriarchal Vicars, His Beatitude stressed: "Today, my children, from the new position assigned to you by your Patriarch, you are called on to serve the ancient Throne of St. Mark. As the Apostle of the Gentiles, Paul the Great, the precious vessel of Christ said, so I have nothing to give you, neither gold nor silver, but the love and blessing of Jesus Christ, to rule and direct your life and your work ".

He also appointed the Very Reverend Archimandrite Gerasimos as Chief Secretary of the Holy Metropolis of Kinshasa Belesi and Reverend Fr Claude Bai as Hierarchal Vicar General.

His Beatitude the Patriarch warmly thanked the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi and the Very Reverend Abbot Fr. Ephraim, who will build an entire Holy Church in the Diocese of Goma. The Patriarch announced that it will be dedicated to the honour of the new Saint Joseph the Hesychast and to the eternal memory of the Holy Elder Joseph of Vatopedi.