HIS BEATITUDE IN THE EGYPTIAN CAPITAL
On 28th March 2008, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, traveled to Cairo , where, together with a group of civil engineers, he visited the building site of the Holy Patriarchal Church of St Spyridon in Helouan, and inspected the renovation works there.
In the evening he officiated at the service of the 3rd Salutations to the All Holy Theotokos and gave the homily at the Holy Patriarchal Church of the Virgin Theotokos in Heliopolis , following which a reception was hosted in his honour. A Youth programme was presented by the children of the Parish community.
On 29th March 2008, His Beatitude held meetings at the Patriarchal Vicariate in Cairo with His Grace Nikodimos, Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo and Bishop of Nitria as well as with representatives of other interested parties, regarding issues arising from the renovation works on the Patriarchal buildings in Cairo. He then visited sick persons at their homes.
That same night he went to the Ambassadorial Residence to visit His Excellency the Ambassador of Cyprus to Egypt , Mr. Petros Eftychiou, to thank him for his contribution to the successful organization of his recent conciliatory visit to the Church of Cyprus as well as the manner in which decisions taken by the two churches were realized.
On Sunday 30th March 2008, His Beatitude, accompanied by His Grace Nikodimos Bishop of Nitria, the Exarch of the Patriarchate of Russia in Egypt Archimandrite Dimitrios Gorbacev and the clergy of the Patriarchal Vicariate of Cairo, conducted the Divine Liturgy and the ceremony of the Veneration of the Precious Cross at the Holy Patriarchal Church of St Nicholas. His Excellency the Ambassador of Greece to Egypt Mr. Alexios Zepos, attended, as did the Chairman of the Hellenic Community of Cairo, representatives of Greek Societies and many Orthodox Christians.
At noon the Primate of the Church of Alexandria hosted a lunch T THE Holy Monastery of St George in Old Cairo, for the members of the Pan-African Council of Churches. His Beatitude held talks especially with the Anglican Bishop-President of the Council regarding the organization of the upcoming Conference of the Pan-African Council of Churches, which will take place in Maputo in Mozambique in October. He also thanked His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Johannesburg and Pretoria , the representative of the Ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria in the Pan-African Council of Churches for his active participation.
He returned to Alexandria that same evening, where, accompanied by His Grace Gabriel, Patriarchal Vicar, he attended the General Meeting of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria and spoke to its members, emphasizing the importance of the bonds between the Patriarchate, the Greek Consulate and the Hellenic Community.