On 23rd December 2010 His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa travelled to Cairo to officiate at the festive spiritual and Liturgical events for Christmas, as is tradition.
On the morning of the eve of the Great Feast, immediately following the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude welcomed to the Mansion of the Patriarchal Vicariate in Cairo the Hellenic Scouts who sang traditional carols.
Thereafter, accompanied by His Grace Nikodimos, Bishop of Nitria and Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo, he went to the Old Age Home of the Hellenic Community to meet with the elders living there. His Beatitude was welcomed by the Honourable Consul General of Greece in Cairo, Mr Ioannis Hatzantonakis, the Vice Chairman of the Hellenic Community MMr Kimis Flevotomas, other members of the HCC and other dignitaries. Together with the scouts they sang carols for the old people and His Beatitude distributed gifts.
It is to be noted that His Beatitude expressed the wish that soon there will be a meeting, with as many of the ladies of the community who wish, to discuss how the social welfare could be increased for those who are in need of support in the Egyptian capital.
His Beatitude then went on to the Old Age Home of the Arabic-speaking community where he was met b y the Chairman, Mr Robert Hosni and other members. Young children sand festive hymns and His Beatitude gave blessing to the venerable elders.
On 25th December 2010, His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II, conducted the Divine Liturgy of the Great Feast of the Nativity at the Patriarchal Church of St Nicholas in Cairo, concelebrated by His Grace Nikodimos Bishop of Nitria and Patriarchal Vicar in Cairo and His Grace Niphon Hegumen of the Holy Monastery of St George in Old Cairo.
Present were high-ranking officials of the Egyptian Government, the Honourable Consul Generarl of Greece in Cairo Mr Ioannis Hatzantonakis, the Chairman of the Hellenic Community of Cairo Mr Christos Kavalis, the Chairman of the Arabic-Speaking Community Mr Robert Hosni, representatives of societies and many faithful.
During his homily His Beatitude asked of the Representatives of Egypt to pass on his warm wishes for prosperity and progress to His Excellency the President Mr. Hosni Mubarak and the people of Egypt.
He also thanked all present and especially the Hellenic Community of Cairo as well as their Chairman who was celebrating his Name Day, Mr Christos Kavalis. He also presented to the congregation a visitor to the Patriarchate Archimandrite Theologos Chrysanthakopoulos, Patriarchal; Vicar of the newly-established Diocese of Brazzaville and Gabon, mentioning the enormous work being done there with the establishment of schools, clinics and prosperous institutions, as well as with the efforts for the treatment of AIDS.
Following the reception in the Throne Rook of the Patriarchal Vicariate, the Venerable Primate of the Church of St Mark went to the Hellenic Home in Heliopolis, where an official lunch was hosted in his honour by the Chairman Mr Kimis Flevotomas.
On Sunday 26th December 2010, His Beatitude conducted a Patriarchal Divine Liturgy in the Holy Church of the Theotokos in Heliopolis, in Cairo, concelebrated by His Eminence metropolitan Nicholas of Ermopolis and His Grace Nikodimos, Bishop of Nitria. He then attended an official lunch hosted in his honour at the Orthodox Centre of the Arabic-speaking Community of Heliopolis by the Chairman Mr George Seraphim.
In the afternoon of the same day His Beatitude Theodoros II, was present at the Christmas festivities at the Orthodox Spiritual Patriarchal Centre, where he thanked the departing Chairman Mr Apollon Vlachos for his many years of contribution and appointed the new Chairman and Director Mr George Zoumboulides. Present at the function we His Excellency the Ambassador of Greece in Egytp Mr Christodoulos Lazaris, the Chairman of the Hellenic Community of Cairo Mr Christos Kavalis and other dignitaries.
