COPTIC PATRIARCH’S VISIT TO PATRIARCH THEODOROS

Patriarch Theodoros joined his prayers for the end of the pandemic together with those of the Coptic Patriarch Tawadros on Christmas day in Cairo, when he visited him to extend his wishes for the great day of Christendom.

Patriarch Theodoros joined his prayers for an end to the pandemic together with those of the Coptic Patriarch Tawadros on the Day of the Nativity in Cairo, when he visited him at the Patriarchal Vicariate in Cairo, at the historic Greek Orthodox Church of St Nicholas in Hamzawi, where St Nektarios lived, to extend his wishes fo the great day the Nativity of the God-Man.

In a moving atmosphere, encouraged by the chants that had just been heard during the Divine Liturgy of the Nativity, with the bells ringing joyfully and the Ambassadors of Greece, Nikos Garilidis, and Cyprus, Homer Mavromatis, giving their dynamic presence, the two Patriarchs exchanged wishes on the occasion of the great feast, but also gave the double message, both for the harmonious coexistence of the two churches and for the strong cooperation of the three states and their three leaders, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Nikos Anastasiadis.

In fact, Patriarch Theodoros stressed the support he provides and his great appreciation for the vision of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for the country's programs for a better quality of life, while the Coptic Patriarch referred to the importance of the Nile River, touching on the problem that concerns the country, with the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theodoros emphasizing his own efforts to the African leaders, such as the President of Uganda, to make Egypt's positions across Africa as well known and understandable as possible on this crucial issue of concern to Egypt.

At the same time, Patriarch Theodoros, in the presence of the Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo, Metropolitan Nikodimos of Memphis, the Patriarchal Vicar for the Arabic-speakers Metropolitan Nicholas of Ermopolis and Bishop Theodoros of Babylon and the holy clergy, thanked the Coptic Church for the assistance they give to the Ancient Greek Orthodox Patriarchate especially for the provision of medicines.

"I wish for your Coptic church, which is so big and strong, good health and joy, as you struggle with schools and hospitals for all your children. "Your struggle is also important for the harmonious coexistence with the Muslims, because this is the message of Christ and of peace", Patriarch Theodoros said characteristically to the Primate of the Coptic Church, Tawadros, giving him an incense burner so that "the incense will be offered to God" and a diary printed in Arabic, dedicated to St. Catherine of Sinai.

For his part, the Coptic Patriarch did not hide his satisfaction and emotion, as on this day of Christmas for the Orthodox Church he is with the Greek Orthodox Patriarch with the Greek community. (Note: Christmas for the Coptic Church is celebrated on January 7).

"I am glad to be meeting today with you, with the hierarchs, the clergy and the flock of your church," said the Coptic Patriarch, with the Abbot of the Holy Monastery of St. George of old Cairo, Fr. Damaskinos passing on the message of Patriarch Tawadros in Greek, in the presence of journalists and media outlets who had come to cover the fact of the visit of the Coptic Patriarch and his wishes to Patriarch Theodoros. With Patriarch Tawadros emphasizing that "we are glad to be here with your flock and for the fact that the Ambassadors of Greece and Cyprus are here and we are very happy for the excellent cooperation between Egypt, Greece and Cyprus and the cooperation of of their three leaders ", said the Coptic Patriarch. He added: "In these Christmas days, we all ask for peace, joy and love".

At the same time, it is worth noting that the Coptic Patriarch praised with very warm words the missionary work of the Orthodox Church of Africa.

Addressing Patriarch Theodore, Patriarch Tawandros said: "I am very happy to hear the news of your missionary work in Africa in all the countries where you have churches and jurisdiction. And I rejoice and am moved when you meet the little orphan children because in the face of these children we actually meet Christ himself ". "We really appreciate your ministry, as it really reminds us of the ministry of the first fathers who made great efforts for all people." "And we are always eager for excellent cooperation between the two churches and I am glad as with my visit today, I am close to you and close to your blessed people. We pray to God to keep this true love between us and that the Lord God will give a blessed new year, without sorrows, without fatigue, without diseases and pandemics…And may God give the solution for the end of the pandemic ".

It should be noted that in the great Divine Liturgy of the Nativity that had been completed shortly before the arrival of the Coptic Patriarch, Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria had warmly welcomed the Egyptian political and military authorities who came to honor him, the Orthodox Church and Hellenism at St Nicholas in Hamzawi in Cairo.

Among the representatives, there was the characteristic presence of the Muslims of Egypt and their representative, Imam Dr. Mohamed El Amir, who is also a university professor, Vice President of the University of Al-Azhar, who was warmly welcomed by Patriarch Theodoros, emphasizing that as Christians and Muslims "are brothers under the same heaven".

In fact, welcoming the representative of the Egyptian President Al Sisi, General Abdelrahman Adel, the representative of the Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli, General Khalid Abdel Aal, the representative of the Ministry of Interior, General Yasser Abdel Maaboul, as well as the Governor of Cairo, the Ministry of Waqf and other bodies, Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria stressed that "here today, from the house of God, we proclaim peace to the ends of the world and proclaim the unity of all in our blessed Egypt, which God loves, and where, as I declare everywhere, the light of the Nile is the door to Africa, which has in its bowels the gift of God, the waters of the Nile. They belong to God but are a gift to all people. We are not alone in this celebration. The representatives of this blessed state of Egypt are with us. "And the representative of our leader who inspires us, the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, stands out."

And Patriarch Theodore wished "the dreams of the President of Egypt Al Sisi to come true and all of us to follow his example and the trigger for a better human life, for a life full of quality, full of peace and tranquility for the good of the people. "," In this blessed sea of the Mediterranean, with the borders that each country has but with open hearts full of love ".