On 8th July 2024, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa issued a Patriarchal Letter of gratitude to His Eminence Bartholomaios, Metropolitan of Polyane and Kilkis, who is visiting Uganda, expressing the gratitude of the Second Throne Church of Alexandria for the kind deeds of his Holy Metropolis to the missionary field of the afore-mentioned African country and emphasizing especially, prayerfully, and patiently the heartfelt Patriarchal prayer “…that the blessed example of your loving heart, may be followed by more Ecclesiastical provinces of Greek-speaking Orthodoxy to the glory of God, for the enlightenment and ease of our brothers and sisters who are “in darkness and the shadow of death” in Africa, especially during the current unlucky period…”.
The entire Patriarchal Letter numbered 082/09.07.2024 by His Beatitude Theodoros II Pope of Alexandria to His Eminence Bartholomaios of Polyane and Kilkis, follows:
«Ref.No.082/2024
Your Eminence Bartholomaios, Metropolitan of Polyane and Kilkis, beloved brother and concelebrant in the Lord of my Mediocrity, grace and mercy be with Your Eminence and peace from our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ.
Through this Patriarchal Letter in your hands we express to you our wholehearted and extreme gratitude for all the good and worthy things you have done during your present visit to Uganda.
In particular, the construction of a modern school for the spiritual advancement of our beloved suffering indigenous children, the costs born by your Holy Metropolis and its inauguration by Your Eminence, as well as the foundation of a permanent Holy Church in honor and memory of our Holy Father among the Saints Nektarios, Bishop of Pentapolis the Wonderworker, being brilliant examples of indiscernible love, practical philanthropy and precious help to the laborious and arduous Apostolic work, which is silently performed by our ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa through the sacrificial ministry of humble Greeks and local Hierarchs and clergy of the Throne from end to end of the African land.
We fervently pray “…that the blessed example of your loving heart, may be followed by more Ecclesiastical provinces of Greek-speaking Orthodoxy to the glory of God, for the enlightenment and ease of our brothers and sisters who are “in darkness and the shadow of death” in Africa, especially during the current unlucky period, during which our Second Throne under heaven Holy Church Patriarchate of our God-bearing Fathers and Teachers of our unblemished faith, of the unceasing offering until death and of the uninterrupted two-thousand-year historical journey and unfalsified Apostolic Legacy and testimony is disrespectfully, unbrotherly and predatorily under a more recent Church, which, let it be noted, received its Autocephaly under the Ecumenical Throne, through the decisive beneficial intervention of our Holy Predecessors.
Therefore, giving thanks from the bottom of our hearts for the general support of the Holy Metropolis of Polyane and Kilkis to the Ugandan local Orthodox Church and fervently praying that our philanthropic and all-merciful Master, Redeemer and Lord will return to You His abundant Grace and infinite mercy for the unselfish support of your godly works and God-loving words, we remain with many paternal and Patriarchal prayers of gratitude and love.
Your beloved brother in Christ,
† Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa
In the Great City
of Alexandria
8th July 2024»
