Today 24th October 2017, in the Great City of Alexandria, the Holy Synod of the Ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria was convened, under the illumined Presidency of His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa.
Around 10h00 in the Great Meeting Hall of the Holy Synod, the Doxology for the Convening of the Holy Synod was sung, and its deliberations began immediately thereafter, in the presence of all the Metropolitans, from every Missionary corner of Africa and all the Bishops.
His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II, as President of the Body of the Holy Synod of Hierarchs, addressed its Members, thanking Their Eminences and Their Graces the Hierarchs for coming to the meeting.
On behalf of the Holy Body, His Beatitude was addressed in reply by the first in order of the Hierarchs, Elder Gabriel of Leontopolis.
His Beatitude then read for the Members ta Patriarchal Activities of the period November 2016 to October 2017, which the Hierarchs all heard, sensing the conveyed anguish and the priorities of a Spiritual Leader, who feels the pain from his position, and his main Patriarchal work, is the Evangelization of “all the Nations” of the African Continent.
Following the Patriarchal account, with great emotion, His Beatitude awarded honorary elevation to the position of Elder, according to Patriarchal custom, Their Eminences Metropolitans Jonah of Kampala and Makarios of Nairobi, rewarding in this way the lengthy Missionary journey and sacrificial contribution of these particular Hierarchs.
Their Eminences the Metropolitans of Kampala and Nairobi, in great emotion, thanked the Alexandrian Primate, for the exceptional honorary distinction of the Elevation of the Metropolises.
The elevation of the Holy Diocese of Brazzaville and Gabon to Holy Metropolis followed, at the same time honoring the five-year contribution and ministry of His Eminence Panteleimon, who with patience and self-denial and amidst many difficulties, serves in a spirit of unity and ecclesiastical self-awareness the newly-established flock of this District of the Throne.
The deliberations of the Holy Synod continued with the Speech given by His Eminence Ieronymos Metropolitan of Mwanza, who developed for all a first approach, of the most essential issue for the African context: “Ecclesiastical Marriage in an African Context”.
A constructive discussion followed of the Members of the Holy Synod as well as the depositions of experiences and suggestions on the subject.
The Hierarchs deliberations were suspended for the afternoon.
Continuing in the afternoon Meeting of the Holy Synod, His Eminence Panteleimon, Metropolitan of Brazzaville and Gabon, spoke in a systematic and scholarly manner, on the second part of the topic “Ecclesiastical Marriage in an African Context”, after which a constructive discussion followed on the topic, by the Members of the Holy Synod.
The Holy Synod of the Hierarchs of the Alexandrian Church will continue its deliberations tomorrow, Wednesday 25th October 2017.
The Press Council of the Holy Synod of Hierarchs.
