On 20th March 2010, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, accompanied by Archimandrite Panteleimon Arathymos, Director the Private Office of the Patriarch, arrived at the International Airport in Johannesburg beginning a lengthy pastoral visit to South Africa.
His Beatitude was welcomed by His Eminence Seraphim, Metropolitan of Johannesburg and South Africa, His Excellency the Ambassador of Greece in South Africa Mr Spyridon Theoharopoulos, a representative of His Excellency the Ambassador of Egypt, a representative of His Excellency the Ambassador of Cyprus and the Honourable Consul General of Greece in Johannesburg, Mrs Gounaris.
A doxology was immediately sung in the Holy Chapel of the Archbishopric, in the presence of the clergy of the local church, the afore-mentioned diplomats, His Eminence Markos Metropolitan of the Coptic Church in South Africa, the Honourable Chairman of the Hellenic Community of Johannesburg Mr John Baladakis, representatives of Hellenic Societies and Associations and many faithful.
Before the end of the Doxology, His Eminence Seraphim, Metropolitan of Johannesburg and Pretoria addressed His Beatitude expressing the joy of the faithful at the presence of the Primate of the Alexandrian Church in South Africa.
In his reply His Beatitude expressed his joy and emotion on this visit and thanked all for their warm welcome.
On the afternoon of the same day, he attended the celebrations of the Hellenic Schools of Johannesburg for the National Anniversary of 25th March and that night attended a dinner hosted in his honour by the Chairman of the Hellenic Community, Mr John Baladakis, who discussed with His Beatitude issues concerning the community.
