GREAT AND HOLY WEEK AND PASCHA AT THE PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA

On Palm Sunday, 9th April 2017, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, officiated during Orthros and the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St Savvas the Sanctified in Alexandria. Present at the Eucharistic Gathering were the Consul General of Greece in Alexandria Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis, the Chairman of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria Mr. Ioannis Papadopoulos, Chairman of Associations and Societies and many faithful. On the evening of the same day His Beatitude the Patriarch went to the Holy Church of the Archangels in Ibraimia, where he officiated at the 1st Bridegroom Service. According to the typikon of Patriarchal allowances, His Beatitude officiated this year also at the Holy Services of Great and Holy Week, visiting the Parish Communities of the Great City.

On 10th April, Holy Monday morning, His Beatitude conducted the Pre-sanctified Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Monastery of St Savvas in Alexandria, and in the evening officiated at the 2nd Bridegroom Service.

On 11th April, Holy Tuesday evening, the Alexandrian Primate officiated during the 3rd Bridegroom Service (Troparion of St Kassiane), at the Holy Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Alexandria, with the participation and presence of the entire Hellenic Community of the Great City.

On 12th April, Holy Wednesday, His Beatitude conducted the Sacrament of Holy Unction at the Patriarchal Monastery of St Savvas and then at the Holy Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos of the Arabic Speaking Community.

On 13th April, Holy Thursday morning, the Alexandrian Primate conducted the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St Savvas the Sanctified in Alexandria, and on the evening of the dame day, he officiated during the Service of the Holy Passion, at the Holy Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Alexandria. On the morning of Great and Holy Friday the service of the Royal Hours and the Vespers of the Deposition from the Cross took place at the Patriarchal Monastery of St Savvas the Sanctified, and later His Beatitude paid visits to all the Churches and the Hellenic Cemetery in the Great City, where he did the memorial prayers for the repose of the souls of those Christians who had fallen asleep. In the evening, His Beatitude the Patriarch officiated at the Service of the Holy Passion and the Epitaphios at the Holy Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Alexandria and led the procession of the Holy Epitaphios around the Church. Present at all the Services were the Consul General of Greece in Alexandria Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis, the Chairman of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria Mr. Ioannis Papadopoulos, the Chairmen and Members of many societies and Associations, as well as the Hellenic Scouts with the Community Philharmonic band.

On the morning of Holy Saturday, His Beatitude officiated during the Divine Liturgy of the First Resurrection at the Cathedral of St Savvas, attended by a large group of the Association of Hellenes from Egypt, under their esteemed Chairman Mr. Konstaninos Michaelides, who immediately afterwards were welcomed by His Beatitude the Patriarch and shown the Patriarchal Mansion.

On the night of Holy Saturday, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, conducted the Ceremony of the Resurrection and the Paschal Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Alexandria. It is worth noting that during the Ceremony of the Resurrection a representative of His Excellency the President of the Arabic Republic of Egypt Mr. Fatah al Sisi was present for the first time, General Asraf Zougloul, as well as the entire Hellenic Community and many Russians and Arabic speaking faithful.

On the Sunday of Pascha His Beatitude conducted the Vespers of Love at the Holy Patriarchal Church of St Savvas the Sanctified in Alexandria, with the participation of the Clergy of the Great City. His Beatitude then went on to visit the aged patients at the Old Aged Home of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria, blessing their Paschal lunch and handing out Paschal eggs and gifts.